Rachel Sacharow 609-984-1936

TRENTON - Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn L. McKoy announced that an Atlantic County Nurse Assistant has pleaded guilty to assaulting an elderly nursing home patient.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Chanel McRae, 27, Railroad Boulevard, Richland, Atlantic County, pleaded guilty before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Michael Connor to an Atlantic County indictment filed by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor on June 8. The indictment charged McRae with aggravated assault (4th degree). When sentenced on Oct. 28, McRae faces up to 18 months in state prison and a criminal fine of $10,000. This matter has also been referred to the Department of Health and Senior Services, which certifies Nurses’ Assistants, for action deemed appropriate.

At the guilty plea hearing, McRae admitted that on April 10, 2004, while employed as a Nurse’s Assistant at the Absecon Manor Long Term Care Facility and Rehabilitation Center, McRae struck the elderly patient several times.

State Investigator Christine Barclay and Deputy Attorney General William Hoyman were assigned to the investigation. DAG Hoyman represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at the guilty plea hearing. Absecon Manor Long Term Care Facility and Rehabilitation Center greatly assisted the Division of Criminal Justice in the investigation.

The Medicaid Program, which is funded by the state and federal governments, provides health care services and prescription drugs to persons who may not otherwise be able to afford such services and medicines. The Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor’s Medicaid Fraud Section investigates both criminal and civil Medicaid fraud as well as abuse in the Medicaid Program.

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