On July 29th, in Suffolk County Court, Desiree Etheridge, a 50-year-old individual from North Carolina, pleaded guilty to grand larceny.
Prosecutors allege that Etheridge held the position of facility manager at Eden II in St. James. In this role, it was her duty to withdraw cash from the bank accounts of residents and place it in their petty cash envelope for shopping purposes.
In confessing to her actions, she revealed that she had been taking money from the ATM cards of six residents between November 2018 and June 2021. The exact amount of money stolen has not been determined yet.
In August 2022, Suffolk County Police took Etheridge into custody. During her court appearance on Monday, she admitted to committing a felony of third-degree grand larceny and pleaded guilty.
According to Suffolk County DA Raymond Tierney, “This case highlights a severe betrayal of trust. The defendant took advantage of vulnerable individuals who depended on her for their basic needs and financial management.”
During the COVID-19 shutdown, she seized the opportunity to drain the accounts of vulnerable residents who were already isolated and at risk.
“This admission of guilt is a positive step towards providing justice for the victims. However, it cannot erase the harm inflicted on these residents who were striving to maintain some semblance of a quality life during challenging circumstances,” said in a statement.
On Thursday, August 29, Etheridge is set to receive a prison sentence ranging from one to three years.