Jessicka Cohen Allegedly Stole Wedding Ring From Resident At Saratoga Center For Rehabilitation And Skilled Nursing Center
Schneiderman: Medical Professionals Who Steal From Their Patients Will Be Held Accountable
ALBANY – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the arrest of Certified Nurse Aide Jessicka Cohen in Ballston Spa. Cohen was arraigned in the Village of Ballston Spa Court in front of the Hon. Michael Morrissey. Cohen, 24, of Willett Street, Schenectady, was arraigned on one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, both Class E felonies. In July 2015, she allegedly stole a unique wedding ring from a resident at Saratoga Center for Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center. She then allegedly sold the ring at a local store.
“The theft of nursing home residents’ property by those who have been entrusted with their care is truly reprehensible and will not be tolerated,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “We will continue fighting to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizen victims and to hold thieving caregivers accountable.”
The ring was reported missing to the staff at Saratoga Center and pursuant to the investigation, documentation was discovered that the defendant sold the ring at Ballston Coin and Jewelry, in Ballston Spa. The ring was a wedding ring that the victim never took off of her finger.
Cohen, 24, of Schenectady, entered a plea of not guilty today before Village of Ballston Spa Court Hon. Michael Morrissey to one count of Grand Larceny and one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen property, both Class E Felonies. The charges against Ms. Cohen are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by Investigators Frank DiChiaro and J.R. Benshoff, with the assistance of Supervising Investigator Dianne Hart and Upstate Chief Investigator William Falk. The Ballston Spa Police Department also assisted in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant Attorneys General Erin Lynch and Paul Clyne of the Albany Regional Office of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Attorney General. Kathleen A. Boland is the Regional Director of the Albany Regional Office. Catherine Wagner is MFCU's Upstate Chief of Criminal Investigations. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.