Vernon woman who stole thousands from care home residents pleads guilty

A 54-year-old Vernon woman who scammed thousands of dollars out of more than two dozen residents living in a care home has pleaded guilty to fraud.

Today, Feb. 8, at the Vernon courthouse Michelle Joanne Hampton pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud over $5,000.

The amount of money Hampton stole wasn't discussed in court but the charge involves 26 residents at the care home Down's Residence on 43 Avenue in Vernon.

Hampton was working at the care home for adults with mental health issues when the fraud took place between 2010 and 2013.

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Down's Residence said in a statement that when it discovered inappropriate financial dealings the employee was immediately fired and the RCMP contacted.

It's unclear when that took place but Hampton ended up being charged with the fraud almost a decade after the events in May 2022.

"We are happy to see justice is being done," Downs Residence manager Sandi Lautrup said in the statement.

It was clear from a brief conversation with the manager that the fraud had a large emotional impact on the care home.

Lautrup said Down's Residence couldn't comment further "as civil suits are likely to follow."

Hampton's court appearance was adjourned and a pre-sentence report was ordered.

She will be sentenced in the spring.

— This story was updated at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2023, to include information from the care home.

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