Jan 28, 2009 1:32 pm US/Eastern
I-Team Followup: VA Nursing Home Thefts
Reporting
Jim Osman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
The CBS 3 I-Team follows up on its investigation exposing security problems at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Nursing Home in West Philadelphia.
Two nursing home aides there face charges that they stole from seven veterans at the facility.
Both were charged after a CBS 3 I-Team Exclusive Investigation
that exposed security problems at the home.
Investigative Reporter Jim Osman caught up with one of the women after her preliminary hearing in Center City on January 27th.
Employees Ginger Hendrickson and Laura Bell are charged with stealing approximately $2,000 from seven veterans at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Nursing Home.
Outside the courthouse today we asked Hendrickson if she stole from the veterans.
"I don't have anything to say," said the 46 year old Hendrickson.
Back in March 2007 Veterans Affairs attempted to disrupt our original investigation by trying to stop us from interviewing veterans who invited us in to the nursing home.
Despite that the I-Team exposed widespread thefts at the facility backed up by VA police records and interviews with veterans.
"They do steal from you in here, it is rampant," said Chester Rogers, who is a veteran. "It's something that shouldn't happen."
The man who blew the whistle on the VA, Mike Bruckner who at the time was a volunteer at the nursing home is pleased the VA has stepped up security measures after our investigation.
Those measures include installing surveillance cameras.
"They knew there were problems," said Bruckner. "I'm sure there were thousands and thousands of dollars stolen from the veterans."
The two suspects are out on bail. Both are facing felony theft and forgery charges.
A spokesman for Philadelphia's Veterans Affairs says the two women are still employees of the VA.
However, he wouldn't say whether they are still working at the nursing home or if they have been reassigned to another position or are suspended.
The Philadelphia VA refused again to be interviewed on camera as it has refused every request since our original investigation began two years ago.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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