An in-home caretaker charged with stealing more than $32,000 from a 79-year-old Gloucester man was put on probation for four years and ordered by Judge Joseph Jennings to pay $10,000 in restitution after she pleaded guilty to the charges in Gloucester District Court.
Tammy M. Sainato, 38, of 48 Friend St., Apt. 2F, was charged last April 28 with five counts each of larceny from a person over 65, uttering a false check, and forgery of a check.
According to court records, Sainato admitted in a police interview to forging three checks totaling $6,200 between Dec. 27, 2009, and April 1, 2010, but denied any involvement in a trio of withdrawals totaling that totaled $16,000 and occurred in that same time period.
When asked about a $10,000 check she cashed on Nov. 11, 2009, Sainato reportedly told police that the victim gave her the check after he overheard her talking on the phone about her financial hardships.
She said she was experiencing "serious" financial problems, especially owing to her husband being out of work. At the time, Sainato was working as a caretaker at Comfort Keepers — a non-medial, in-home care agency based in Beverly.
Gloucester police began their investigation of Sainato on April 17 after receiving a call from her supervisor.
Sainato's employer indicated that the victim's daughter had discovered discrepancies in her father's financial accounts during a visit to her parent's Old Nugent Farm Road home earlier that month.
The victim's daughter — who told police that her father has exhibited the beginning symptoms of dementia and that her 80-year-old mother was suffering from cancer — told police that a check of her father's TD Bank accounts in Gloucester showed further discrepancies, including a check cashed by Sainato for $10,000.
However, the man, who police indicated was lucid during a followup interview with detectives, denied giving Sainato the money.
In addition to being put on probation until Feb. 24, 2015, and paying $10,000 restitution, Jennings Friday also ordered Sainato to stay away and have no contact with the victim and his family. She was also ordered not to engage, either as an employee or volunteer, in caring for any handicapped or elderly people.
Jennings noted that the $10,000 restitution order does not prohibit the family from being able to pursue further restitution through civil action.
Sainato was also assessed $90 in court costs.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
