Former Director of Nursing Accused of Misusing Resident's Funds

The former director of nursing at a Wakefield nursing home has been charged in connection with a scheme to allegedly steal thousands of dollars from a 75-year-old woman. 

According to an announcement from Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office, Tewksbury resident Laura Siano, 62, the former director of nursing at the Kirkwood Nursing Home, in Wakefield was reportedly charged with one count of Larceny Over $250, with a July 23 arraignment.

The state reportedly began an investigation back in 2011 after receiving a referral about the possible embezzlement of funds from a nursing home resident. Further investigation determined that about $16,000 was missing from the woman’s bank account. Siano was allegedly entrusted to manage the resident’s account at the now-closed nursing home.

Prosecutors allege that Siano made unauthorized cash withdrawals from the woman’s account for more than a year, usually in amounts of $300 to $400. Siano is also accused of using the resident’s debit card to make purchases at area stores such as Wal-Mart, Christmas Tree Shops, and Jo-Ann Fabrics.