PERRYOPOLIS, Pa. — A local nursing home owner is charged in an alleged scheme that involved stealing money from residents, including some who have passed away.
Police say the thefts at Annalisa’s A Touch Of Home in Perryopolis totaled more than $700,000.
Channel 11 visited the facility. Workers would not comment on their owner’s arrest.
Veerasammy Perumal, 62, is facing felony theft charges after a large-scale investigation into the resident having their money stolen.
Investigators say Perumal was stealing rent rebate money from residents.
Channel 11 learned that Pennsylvania personal care facilities are allowed to retain up to half of rent rebate payments to help with expenses but police say Perumal was taking much more.
Police say Perumal admitted to moving money in and out of the accounts even though they were supposed to be closed after residents died. He reportedly said he was being audited and wanted to hide money from the IRS.
In court documents, he did say that some residents agreed to let him keep some of their money for future funeral expenses.
Channel 11 reached out numerous times on Thursday to try to get a comment from Perumal.
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