News
Former SEABHS worker charged with embezzlement
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
The Arizona Attorney General's office announced Wednesday that embezzlement charges would be filed against Sylvia Nerey, a former employee of Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services Inc. (SEABHS).
Nerey, a Nogales resident, is accused of embezzling more than $30,655 while working for SEABHS between October 2006 and October 2008.
The charges are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Nogales Police Department, Benson Police Department and the Attorney General's Office Special Investigations Section and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Nerey is charged with one count of fraud, a class 2 felony; one count of theft, a class 2 felony, and 18 counts of forgery, a class 4 felony.
Nerey allegedly embezzled more than $30,000 while working in the company's accounts receivable department in Benson. She allegedly forged 18 SEABHS checks, which were either deposited into her personal accounts or cashed.
The checks ranged in amounts from $605.95 to $2,103.73.
The case will be prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Unit because SEABHS is an Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) provider.
"These allegations represent a serious betrayal of trust to a system that provides important behavioral health services to Arizona's most vulnerable population," said Attorney General Terry Goddard. "AHCCCS is a critical component in Arizona's health care system. Theft of already limited funds is a reprehensible act that threatens the integrity and sustainability of a system like AHCCCS."
SEABHS, which provides mental health services in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz counties, is also searching for a new company CEO.
Former CEO Dana Johnson was fired last month. The Arizona Attorney General is also investigating Johnson, who borrowed $150,000 from the non-profit in 2004 without repaying the loan. Johnson, who was with the company for 19 years, received an extension to repay the loan in 2007.
Johnson is listed as a suspect in the state's investigation, but SEABHS legal director Rose Weston declined to elaborate.
The attorney general is also looking into vehicle fraud at SEABHS. Weston said a former employee might have been using SEABHS resources for a personal vehicle.
The Nerey investigation brings to three the number of separate probes involving SEABHS workers.
The Arizona Attorney General's office announced Wednesday that embezzlement charges would be filed against Sylvia Nerey, a former employee of Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services Inc. (SEABHS).
Nerey, a Nogales resident, is accused of embezzling more than $30,655 while working for SEABHS between October 2006 and October 2008.
The charges are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Nogales Police Department, Benson Police Department and the Attorney General's Office Special Investigations Section and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Nerey is charged with one count of fraud, a class 2 felony; one count of theft, a class 2 felony, and 18 counts of forgery, a class 4 felony.
Nerey allegedly embezzled more than $30,000 while working in the company's accounts receivable department in Benson. She allegedly forged 18 SEABHS checks, which were either deposited into her personal accounts or cashed.
The checks ranged in amounts from $605.95 to $2,103.73.
The case will be prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Unit because SEABHS is an Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) provider.
"These allegations represent a serious betrayal of trust to a system that provides important behavioral health services to Arizona's most vulnerable population," said Attorney General Terry Goddard. "AHCCCS is a critical component in Arizona's health care system. Theft of already limited funds is a reprehensible act that threatens the integrity and sustainability of a system like AHCCCS."
SEABHS, which provides mental health services in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz counties, is also searching for a new company CEO.
Former CEO Dana Johnson was fired last month. The Arizona Attorney General is also investigating Johnson, who borrowed $150,000 from the non-profit in 2004 without repaying the loan. Johnson, who was with the company for 19 years, received an extension to repay the loan in 2007.
Johnson is listed as a suspect in the state's investigation, but SEABHS legal director Rose Weston declined to elaborate.
The attorney general is also looking into vehicle fraud at SEABHS. Weston said a former employee might have been using SEABHS resources for a personal vehicle.
The Nerey investigation brings to three the number of separate probes involving SEABHS workers.
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