Suffolk County, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Desiree Etheridge, 50, of North Carolina, and former facility manager at Eden II in Saint James, has pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree. Etheridge admitted to stealing funds from the ATM cards of six residents who had entrusted her with their cards for petty cash purposes.
“This case represents a grievous breach of trust. The defendant exploited vulnerable individuals who relied on her for their basic needs and financial management. She took advantage of the COVID-19 shutdown, when these residents were already isolated and at risk, to deplete their accounts,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This guilty plea is a step towards justice for the victims, but it cannot undo the harm caused to these residents who were simply trying to maintain some quality of life during difficult times.”
From November 2018 to June 2021, Etheridge stole funds from the ATM cards of six residents while she was working as residential manager of Eden II, according to court documents and her admissions during her guilty plea. As facility manager, she had control and access to the residents’ bank accounts and debit cards, responsible for withdrawing money to place in their petty cash envelopes for outings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Etheridge depleted the residents’ bank accounts.
Etheridge was arrested on August 12, 2022, after voluntarily surrendering to law enforcement.