CHICAGO (AP) – Several workers at a Chicago seniors’ home are accused of stealing more than $600,000 from a 97-year-old resident suffering from dementia.
A lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court alleges employees of Symphony Residences of Lincoln Park cashed checks, made ATM withdrawals and transferred money online from several bank accounts Grace Watanabe for about a year.
Among those named in the lawsuit filed Thursday were an activities director, a receptionist and a hairstylist.
Acting Cook County Public Guardian Charles Golbert brought the lawsuit against Symphony Residences shortly after a judge appointed him temporary guardian of Watanabe.
Golbert says he has never seen the level of corruption found at the home. Instead of assisting residents with the care they need, the workers “took advantage of Ms. Watanabe’s vulnerabilities to access her money.”
A spokeswoman for Symphony Post Acute Network did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
