Health Care Worker Accused of Stealing Thousands from Patient

A woman who worked as a home health care provider for a home-bound Naugatuck man is accused of stealing thousands from him over an eight-month span.

Police say Samantha Bergeron, 30, of 58 Williams St., Thomaston, stole $3,873 from the 52-year-old man’s bank account by using his debit card, for which she had the personal identification number (PIN). And police say she stole $2,500 worth of the man’s EBT money and Social Security benefits.

“She said she used money to buy items for the man and take him places, and that she didn’t use any money for herself. But her story just didn’t add up,” Naugatuck Lt. Bryan Cammarata said, adding that police found no major purchases by the woman between the time of the alleged thefts, January and August of 2012.

The man’s brother called police on Sept. 10 when he noticed discrepancies in the patient’s bank account, police said. Several bills were not paid because there was not enough money in his account, according to police.

Cammarata said the company that Bergeron worked for, Independent Living Solutions of Waterbury, terminated her employment following an internal investigation into her actions.

Bergeron was charged with fourth-degree larceny, illegal use of a credit card and identity theft. She was arraigned at Waterbury Superior Court. A judge released her on a promise to re-appear at court on Feb. 6.

Bergeron did not pick up the phone when Patch tried to contact her at her listed residence Tuesday night. 

Cammarata said a lesson that can be taken from this situation is that people should not give out access to PINs or other personal information.

“Probably 99 percent of health care workers are honest, but you don’t want to put yourself in that situation,” he said.