N.J. Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Charges Nurse

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy announced that the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has charged a certified nurse assistant formerly employed at a Sussex County rehabilitation facility with aggravated assault for allegedly abusing an elderly patient.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Donald Beckett, 40, of Union, Union County, was charged in a Sussex County Grand Jury indictment with aggravated assault (4th degree). If convicted, Beckett faces up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

In addition, the investigation will be referred to the Department of Health and Senior Services for further review. Beckett is scheduled to appear in Sussex County Superior Court before Judge Peter Conforti on May 16.

The indictment alleges that in October, 2003, Beckett, formerly employed as a certified nurse assistant at the Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center located in Andover, Sussex County, allegedly assaulted a 76-year-old male resident of the Andover Rehab Center.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Beckett forcefully pulled the resident from his bed and threw him against a wall in the room.

Beckett was terminated by Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center as a result of the investigation. The resident has also been transferred to another facility.