Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Jennifer Bryant, 48, of East Rochester, pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday in the Strafford County Superior Court on one class A felony count of theft by unauthorized taking.

Investigation revealed that between May 7, 2019, and May 12, 2022, Ms. Bryant, while working as a nursing home billing coordinator, stole $71,548.00 in social security funds belonging to a nursing home resident. The funds should have been used to pay for the resident’s rent and care at the nursing home. Instead, Ms. Bryant used the funds to pay for personal retail purchases, salon services, restaurants, entertainment, home improvement, and vacations.

The Court sentenced Ms. Bryant to serve 5-10 years in the New Hampshire State Prison, stand committed. The Court suspended 3 years from the minimum term, with the suspended term to end 15 years following Ms. Bryant’s release from incarceration. Under the suspended sentence, Ms. Bryant is, among other things, prohibited from working in billing and accounting, and in the care of elderly, disabled, or impaired adults. Ms. Bryant must also pay $71,548.00 in restitution to the nursing home. Ms. Bryant was taken into custody at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing.

In exchange for Ms. Bryant’s plea of guilty on the theft indictment, an additional indictment of financial exploitation of an elderly adult will be nolle prossed.

This matter was jointly investigated by Investigator Frederick Lulka of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau and Investigator John Lannon of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The matter was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Bryan J. Townsend, II, of the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit, and Assistant Attorney General Andrew Yourell of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation, please contact your local police department or the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (1-800-949-0470).