Oconeean allegedly exploited vulnerable adult

The South Carolina Attorney General, Alan Wilson, says the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of his office arrested Chanda Larissa Sargent, 43-year old Salem resident, on multiple charges of financial transaction card fraud and exploitation of a vulnerable adult.  Sargent was jailed yesterday in Oconee County. At the time, the victim resided in a Seneca assisted living facility.  According to the attorney’s general announcement, investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit revealed that in January, Sargent converted in an excess of $300 thousand of the victim’s funds to her own use.  The Long Term Ombudsman of the Appalachian Council of Governments referred the case, which is to be prosecuted by the Attorney’s General Office.  Exploitation of a vulnerable adult is a felony and, on conviction, has a penalty of not more than five years in prison or a fine not exceeding $5 thousand, or both.  Financial transaction card fraud is a felony and, on conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine between three and five thousand dollars, or both.