Pam Bondi: Alachua Woman Charged for Exploiting Disabled

Submitted by Anonymous on June 16, 2012 - 9:28am

An Alachua County woman, Zonia Cooper, was arrested after an investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the state attorneys office, alleging she exploited 11 disabled adults.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is dedicated to protecting elderly and disabled adults in health-care facilities throughout Florida, and we will not allow these individuals to be exploited or abused, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated in a release.

Cooper, 44, was the former group home manager at Arc of Alachua Group Home, according to a release from the attorney generals office.

According to the investigation, Cooper misappropriated more than $1,300 from 11 disabled adults under her supervision. Cooper has been charged with 11 counts of exploitation of a disabled adult and one count of scheme to defraud, all third-degree felonies. If convicted of all charges, Cooper faces up to 60 years in prison and a $60,000 fine.

The case will be prosecuted by William P. Cervone, state attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit.

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