Crime & Safety

Former Altenheim Director Pleads Not Guilty to Theft

Gregory McDanels set for pre-trial Thursday

Gregory McDanels pleaded not guilty this morning to one count of theft for allegedly embezzling $500,000 from the Altenheim Skilled Nursing Facility while he worked there as executive director.

Bond was set at $50,000, according to Ryan Miday, spokesman for  Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Peter Corrigan was assigned to the case. The first pre-trial is scheduled for Thursday, March 3.

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Gregory McDanels, 49, who lives in Bay Village, allegedly stole money from his employer between 2001 and 2008 by giving himself giving himself unauthorized bonuses, altering records and issuing unauthorized reimbursement checks.

The bulk of the offenses stem from using the company's credit card for personal expenses like car repairs and clothing, and forging checks to pay off personal debts, like credit card bills, Miday said.

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He is also charge with stealing $4,100 from a resident fund, in which residents deposit money for themselves for expenses.

Most of the stolen money went for day-to-day expenses rather than lavish vacations and luxury items, authorities said. 

Detective Wayne Feuerstein, who handled the investigation for the Strongsville Police Department, said Gregory McDanels made personal purchases on company credit cards and paid off his own bills with corporate checks.

"He was using the credit card to make repairs on his car, buying filters for he furnace, working on his son's car, things like that," Feuerstein said.

Paul Psota, the current CEO at Altenheim, said the alleged thefts were discovered after McDanels left his job in February 2009. 

Miday said the theft charge is a third-degree felony, which reflects stolen amounts between $100,000 and $500,000. McDanels faces a maximum of five years in prison.

The Altenheim operates a skilled nursing facility with Alzheimer's unit and the adjacent Shurmer Place, an assisted living community. Owner of the business is West Side Deutcher Frauen Verein.

 

 

 

 

 

He added that the company's finances "are as strong as ever" and that the actions of one person should not reflect negatively on the dedication of the other 260 employees.

Miday said the theft charge is a third-degree felony, which reflects stolen amounts between $100,000 and $500,000. He faces a maximum of five years in prison.

He is scheduled to be arraigned March 1. He does not yet have an attorney.


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