Ex-nursing home employee charged with embezzlement

A North Branford woman is accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from a Bridgeport nursing home and rehabilitation company where she worked in the business office.

Melissa Meole, 34, was charged Tuesday with multiple counts, including theft or embezzlement in connection with health care, health-care fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector set bond at $200,000, which Meole posted.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, at the time of the alleged theft, Meole worked for the Bridgeport Health Care Center Inc., which operated the Bridgeport Health Care Center, a nursing and rehabilitation facility on Bond Street. The company filed for bankruptcy in April 2018, court records show. Before the fall of 2018, the company also operated a second facility known as Bridgeport Manor, also on Bond Street, which is now closed. 

In her role with the company, Meole processed payroll and handled finances for the Bridgeport Manor resident trust account, according to the government.

Over a 10-month period in 2018, prosecutors allege Meole embezzled approximately $150,000 from the company and resident trust accounts. She is also accused of stealing more than $29,000 from the company by depositing payroll checks into her personal bank account.

Meole’s position with the company was terminated in October 2018.

She is accused of additionally defrauding another employer of more than $9,000 and defrauding multiple banks in an identity theft and check kiting scheme. Federal prosecutors did not identify the alleged victims in those cases.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.