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Pasco caregiver accused of bilking disabled client

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 9, 2009

Updated: 10/10/2009 12:07 pm

ZEPHYRHILLS - A 54-year-old caregiver was arrested Thursday, accused of bilking a 63-year-old disabled client of $1,600.

Rose Gardner stole 21 checks from the disabled man and cashed them at a local bank, according to a Pasco Sheriff's Office report.

Gardner, of 30217 Clearview Drive in Wesley Chapel, was being held today at the Land O' Lakes jail on charges of grand theft and a scheme to defraud. Bail was set at $7,500.

Detectives obtained video surveillance from Bank of America on Gall Boulevard where Gardner cashed 15 checks, a report states.

Gardner has admitted to taking some of the checks, authorities said.

Although Gardner had been an employee of Comfort Keepers, she was working for this client privately, said Carol Howland, owner of Comfort Keepers.

"There is great risk any time a client hires an employee privately because there is no supervision," Howland said.

Detectives are trying to determine if Gardner took advantage of other of her clients, said sheriff's office spokesman Kevin Doll.

If anyone has any information, he said, contact the sheriff's office at (727) 844-7711.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

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