California Attorney General Rob Bonta today secured a guilty verdict against Jose de Jesus Quiroz, a Los Angeles County certified nursing assistant and caretaker for elderly and dependent persons, for sexually abusing an elderly dependent. Following a jury trial in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Quiroz was found guilty of two counts: one count of misdemeanor elder abuse and one count of felony sexual battery on an elderly or dependent adult. Sentencing in this case is scheduled for May 5, 2022 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
“Caretakers are responsible for caring for our elderly and dependent adults with compassion – we will not stand idly by when bad actors abuse their power and harm our loved ones. The crimes that took place under the care of Jose de Jesus Quiroz are simply unacceptable. No senior citizen should have to fear sexual and physical abuse,” said Attorney General Bonta. “In securing today’s verdict, our Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse demonstrates that those who commit abuse against vulnerable elders will be held accountable for their crimes. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to do our part to keep our loved ones safe from all forms of elder abuse.”
In August 2018, Quiroz sexually abused one dependent resident after escorting her to the restroom. The criminal investigation into Quiroz was conducted by the Attorney General’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA) in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. DMFEA investigates and prosecutes those responsible for abuse, neglect, and fraud committed against elderly and dependent adults across the state. DMFEA also works to protect Californians by investigating and prosecuting those who perpetrate fraud on the Medi-Cal program. DMFEA regularly works with whistleblowers, the California Department of Health Care Services, and local law enforcement agencies in its investigations and prosecutions.
DMFEA receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $50,522,020 for federal fiscal year 2021-2022. The remaining 25% is funded by the State of California. The federal fiscal year is defined as October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.
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