The statewide grand jury on Friday returned indictments against Regina Henaku, 33, of Leominster, for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from multiple elderly victims. She purportedly posed as a professional caregiver at health care agencies and long-term care facilities throughout Worcester and Middlesex counties, including an independent living home in Hopkinton, according to a press release from Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s Office.
Under the guise of being a caregiver, Henaku allegedly stole the bank cards of at least 16 elderly victims. She was accused of using the bank cards of 11 of those victims to steal approximately $28,000 and attempting to steal from the rest.
Some of the victims were from the Fairview Estates in Hopkinton, the AGO confirmed Saturday.
As a result of charges brought by the AGO, Henaku on March 20 was indicted by the statewide grand jury on nine counts of larceny over $250 from an elder or disabled person, credit card fraud, attempted larceny over $250 from an elder or disabled person, identity fraud, and misleading the police/obstruction of justice.
The AGO alleged that between August and November 2024, Henaku used the stolen identities and professional credentials of a relative and a former coworker to fraudulently pose as a professional caregiver and gain employment at five different health care agencies, long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities.
Henaku typically stayed at each job for a period of a few weeks, during which time she allegedly stole the credit or debit cards of elderly victims, including MassHealth members. She then used or attempted to use the cards without the victims’ knowledge. Each of the victims was over the age of 60.
In addition to Fairview Estates, other locations at which Henaku worked while allegedly stealing from the victims include a long-term care facility in Framingham, a senior living facility in Bedford, and assisted living facilities in Hudson and Leominster, among others within Worcester and Middlesex counties.
Scott van Raalten, Hopkinton’s deputy police chief, confirmed via email Friday night that HPD took part in the investigation.
“This was an investigation we participated in that included a victim from a facility in town,” he stated. “Hudson detectives worked with Officer Nicholas Walker and our detectives to investigate this case and identify other possible victims.”
He added: “This case was possible by the relentless efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies working in partnership to obtain a successful indictment of Regina Henaku.”
The AGO also claimed that while being investigated for her alleged conduct by a local police department, Henaku purposefully misled the police about her identity by fraudulently posing as and using the identity of a relative. The location of the police department was not specified.
This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Joanna Staley and Senior Healthcare Fraud Investigator Erica Schlain of the AGO’s Medicaid Fraud Division. Substantial assistance was provided by the Hopkinton, Holliston, Bedford, Hudson, Leominster and Framingham Police Departments. The health care facilities and home health agencies affected also provided substantial assistance to this investigation, according to the AGO.
All of the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Medicaid Fraud Division is a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, annually certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to investigate and prosecute health care providers who defraud the state’s Medicaid program, MassHealth. It also has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute complaints of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of residents in long-term care facilities and of Medicaid patients in any health care setting. Individuals may file a MassHealth fraud complaint or report cases of abuse or neglect of Medicaid patients or long-term care residents by visiting the AGO’s website.
Can’t believe this woman she is so miserable and dishonest