From the Attorney General's Office:

POLK COUNTY NURSE SENTENCED FOR THEFT

MADISON – Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that a Polk County woman, Dixie Jeffery, 54, 2493 Round Lake Road, Luck, has been sentenced for her conviction of one misdemeanor count of Theft related to her duties as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Jeffery appeared on June 6, 2008, and entered a guilty plea to the charge. Today sentence was withheld and Jeffery was placed on one year probation. As a condition of probation, Jeffery must undergo a psychiatric evaluation within 60 days and fully comply with any recommended counseling, therapy or medication treatments. The court also ordered community service and a fine of $110. The court further found the community service had been completed.

“When people steal from public assistance funds, they are stealing from those who have been identified as in most need and from the taxpaying citizens who fund this assistance,” said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

According to the Department of Justice’s criminal complaint, in 2007 Jeffery worked as a private nurse caring for a young man who is on a ventilator. Jeffery was paid for her services through the state’s Medicaid program. The young man’s mother noticed in a review of her son’s records that Jeffery had made claims and received reimbursement for dates she had not worked. In fact, Jeffery continued to bill the Medicaid program after her employment for the family had ended. Records show Jeffery received over $4,809.28 for services she had not provided.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Frank Remington.