Nurse's Aide Caught On Camera Stealing Money From Nightstand Of Buffalo Nursing Home Patient

Attorney General Spitzer today announced the arrest of a nurse's aide for stealing money that had been "planted" in a patient's room at the Waterfront Health Care Center in Buffalo. The incident was caught on a hidden camera that had been installed by Center officials in the patient's room in October following a series of small thefts at the facility.

Eva Profit, 25, of 131 East Amherst Street in Buffalo, was arraigned today in Buffalo City Court before Judge James A.W. McLeod. She was charged with Petit Larceny. If convicted, she faces up to one year in prison.

Spitzer said, "The defendant learned that there is no 'profit' in petty thievery. Today's arrest sends a clear message to all health care workers that my office is committed to vigorously prosecuting those who prey on patients in their care - whether it be for a few dollars or much more."

In October, following reports that money was missing from the rooms of several patients, the administration of the Waterfront Health Care Center obtained permission from a male patient to install a hidden video camera in his room. A white envelope containing twenty dollars was then placed in his nightstand drawer. On October 6th, while the patient was being put to bed, the camera recorded Profit opening the top drawer of the patient's dresser, removing the envelope containing the twenty dollars, and putting the envelope into her pants pocket.

Spitzer thanked the State Health Department for referring the matter to his office. He also thanked the administration and staff of the nursing home for their cooperation and assistance in the investigation.

Waterfront Health Care Center is located at 200 7th Street in Buffalo. Profit was employed at the facility from July 29, 1999, to October 11, 2000.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Gary A. Baldauf, of the Buffalo Regional Office of Attorney General Spitzer's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. All cases are handled under the direct supervision of Deputy Attorney General Jos? Maldonado.

The charge against Profit is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.