Helien Williams, 26, and Michele Walker, 21, both of Newark, were charged via a complaint summons with third-degree invasion of privacy and third-degree conspiracy.

"The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is not only committed to investigating and prosecuting Medicaid fraud but also to protecting the dignity of the beneficiaries which the program serves, who are often the most vulnerable members of our population,” Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi said. “No one should be made to suffer humiliation, particularly at the hands of someone responsible for his or her care."

It is alleged that Williams, a certified nursing assistant who worked at CareOne at Livingston at the time of the alleged crime, took a photograph with her cell phone of an elderly resident’s genitalia and sent the photo to Walker. Walker allegedly then posted the photograph on her Facebook page. Williams was terminated from her position at CareOne at Livingston as a result of the alleged incident.

Deputy Attorney General Dolores Blackburn, Sgt. Patricia Yellen and Detective Ronald Allen were assigned to the investigation. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Chillemi thanked CareOne at Livingston as well as the Livingston Police Department for their assistance in the investigation. He also thanked CareOne at Livingston for referring the matter to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

The complaint is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a criminal fine
of $15,000. Because the charges are indictable offenses, the case will be presented to a state
grand jury for potential indictment.

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