Former Facility Manager Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Vulnerable Residents During COVID-19 Shutdown
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Desiree Etheridge, 50, of North Carolina, and the former facility manager at Eden II in Saint James, pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, for stealing funds from the ATM cards of six residents who entrusted her with their cards for petty cash purposes.
“This case represents a grievous breach of trust. The defendant exploited vulnerable individuals who relied on her for their basic needs and financial management. She took advantage of the COVID-19 shutdown, when these residents were already isolated and at risk, to deplete their accounts,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This guilty plea is a step towards justice for the victims, but it cannot undo the harm caused to these residents who were simply trying to maintain some quality of life during difficult times.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during her guilty plea allocution, from November 2018 to June 2021, Etheridge stole funds from the ATM cards of six residents while she was working as residential manager of Eden II, a residential facility. As facility manager, Etheridge had control and access to the six residents’ bank accounts and debit cards. One of her responsibilities was to withdraw money to place in each residents’ petty cash envelope so they could go on outings to eateries and local stores. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Etheridge depleted the residents’ bank accounts.
On August 12, 2022, Etheridge was arrested after voluntarily surrendering to law enforcement.
On July 29, 2024, Etheridge pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.
Etheridge is due back in court for sentencing on August 29, 2024, and is expected to be sentenced to one to three years in prison. She is being represented by Jason Russo, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Milito of the Financial Crimes Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective James Castaldo of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Squad.