Woman pleads guilty to stealing funds from Newton nursing home

A woman who worked at a Newton care facility has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $55,000 in federal funds.

Kelly Jo Seals, 35, pleaded guilty in federal court to theft of government property on Jan. 25. Seals stole $55,873.82 while working as office manager from February 2005 to May 2007 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Newton.

According to her plea agreement filed in the United States District Court for Southern District of Iowa, Seals misappropriated funds belonging to Eloise Rhoades, Leona Mills and Opal Mills by converting their Social Security Retirement check funds to her own use. The funds were intended for payment to Heritage Manor for care and housing of Rhoades and the Mills women.

Court documents state that Seals had a Durable Power of Attorney for Leona and Opal Mills and instead of paying the care facility, she used the SSR funds to pay for her own needs and expenses. Furthermore, Seals had Rhoades sign the back of her Social Security and Maytag pension checks and cashed them. Seals would then give a portion of the funds to Rhoades and kept the remaining money for her own use.

Seals stole $41,438.48 from Rhoades, $13,005 from Leona Mills and $1,430.34 from Opal Mills.

In accordance with her plea agreement, Seals has been sentenced to four years of probation and must serve six months of home confinement. She also is required to reimburse Ankeny-based Heritage Manor in the amount of $55,873.82 with a monthly payment plan.

Jessica Lowe can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 426 or via e-mail at jlowe@newtondailynews.com.