Former Bartlesville nursing home worker charged

A former admissions coordinator for a Bartlesville nursing home was arrested last week after being charged with eight felony counts of financial exploitation by caretaker, Attorney General Drew Edmondson said in a press release issued Thursday.

Bobbie Jo Wilhelm, 53, was charged in Washington County District Court after an investigation by Edmondson’s Patient Abuse and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit found she had cashed more than $7,600 in royalty checks that should have been deposited into a Bartlesville Care Center resident’s trust account.

“Upon questioning, Bobbie Wilhelm admitted to forging the resident’s signature on eight checks totaling $7,617.18 and using the money to pay her own bills,” Edmondson said. “We allege these incidents took place between July 2005 and March 2006.”

If convicted, Wilhelm faces up to 10 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine per count. She was arrested by officers from the Bartlesville Police Department. Her bond has been set at $25,000.

Edmondson’s Patient Abuse and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has statewide jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute provider fraud and patient abuse and neglect in any Medicaid provider facility. Anyone with information regarding provider fraud or patient abuse can contact the Attorney General’s Office at (405) 521-4274.