Seven months after being indicted for allegedly stealing thousands from elderly individuals throughout Worcester and Middlesex counties, a Leominster woman has pleaded guilty to charges related to larceny, fraud, and witness intimidation.
Regina Henaku, 33, was indicted for allegedly posturing as a healthcare worker and stealing the bank cards of at least 16 elderly victims, 11 of which she allegedly successfully stole $28,000 from. The charges had been brought against Henaku by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in Middlesex Superior Court.
On Tuesday, Henaku pleaded guilty to larceny over $250 from an elder or disabled person; credit card fraud; attempted larceny over $250 from an elder or disabled person; identity fraud; and witness intimidation, according to a Tuesday press release from the AGO.
Henaku allegedly stole victim funds between August and November 2024, when AGO asserts she masqueraded as a professional caregiver, gaining employment at five senior care facilities and stealing the identities of patients and coworkers, including MassHealth members.
The facilities were located in cities including Framingham, Hudson, Leominster, and Bedford.
Henaku was sentenced to two years in a house of corrections. She will serve one year in jail with the second year suspended for two years.
She could not be reached for comment.
In addition to jail time, Henaku can no longer work with elderly or disabled individuals in any capacity and is barred from working in health care or social work.
While all victims have been refunded almost all of their stolen funds, Henaku will need to pay any remaining restitutions.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
