Police: Man stole $10K from nursing home

Nov. 22--GUILFORD TOWNSHIP -- A Chambersburg man received a summons this week on charges that he stole more than $10,000 from Falling Spring Nursing Home while he worked there.

James H. Faust, 50, is charged with 23 counts of theft -- one felony and the remainder misdemeanors.

According to court documents, Faust was employed by Falling Spring Nursing Home, 201 Franklin Farm Lane, but resigned on May 11. The regional director of operations came to the home with intentions to fire Faust, but he resigned first.

The regional director began looking around Faust's former office and found things that piqued her interest, according to court documents. On May 19, the regional director received a letter from F&M Trust that was a notice of an address change, and found that the new address was Faust's home address on Turnberry Drive.

The regional director began to look into the interactions Faust had with their Falling Springs Nursing Center Charities account, and found that he was on it and made 21 transactions that were either point of sale, ATM withdrawal or checks from the account. Faust was promptly taken off the account.

The day after Faust's termination, the regional director found that a withdrawal of $280 was made from the account.

On May 21, Faust was contacted by the regional director regarding the transactions, according to court documents. Faust admitted to having an ATM card to the account and said it had been a long time since he used it. When the regional director confronted Faust about the account being accessed seven days prior, he said he had pulled money out to give to the activities director.

When the regional director told Faust she would speak with the activities director, Faust remained silent, according to court documents.

On June 30, Faust sent the regional director an email about making restitution for the money he had stolen, while also trying to negotiate a lower balance, according to court documents.

Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg Trooper Eric Campbell reviewed the transactions on Sept. 30, and found transactions like a $476.05 check made out to Faust, plus lower-amount purchases made at Target, BJ's Wholesale Club, Sheetz, Lowe's, Staples and more. There were also transactions of hundreds of dollars made at the same stores with the card.

There was a check to the U.S. Treasury for $4,968.32 from Faust, according to court documents, and $260 paid to Pennsylvania Driver and Vehicle Services.

The regional director also told police that there was $828.87 unaccounted for from the home's petty cash fund. She found the petty cash box in Faust's office, and stated that was a violation of company policy. She found no receipts that accounted for the missing money.

In all, $10,678.45 is missing from Falling Springs Nursing Home.

Faust's charges were mailed to him on Oct. 27, and he accepted the summons on Thursday. A preliminary hearing is set for Faust on Dec. 15.

Becky Metrick, 717-262-4762

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