(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A nurse at Brookside Care Center is facing felony charges after investigators say she forged signatures to illegally obtain oxycodone intended for elderly patients in her care.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Lisa Marie Mathieus, 43, was in court Tuesday for her initial appearance, where her previously ordered $5,000 cash bail was officially continued. She had posted the bail after being taken into custody on August 1. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 22.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Kenosha County Circuit Court, the investigation began July 31 when Brookside administrators contacted the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office to report suspicious patterns in the narcotics log of a 90-year-old patient. Video surveillance and shift rosters reportedly contradicted medication records showing multiple doses of oxycodone administered by two nurses—nurses who later confirmed they neither gave the medication nor worked on the days in question.
Deputies reviewed surveillance footage that allegedly showed Mathieus entering the patient’s room shortly before one of the suspect entries, then recording a different time on the log. The patient told a deputy she was not given oxycodone that day and disliked taking it because it made her feel “loopy.”
Brookside staff and sheriff’s deputies said they ultimately determined Mathieus had forged coworkers’ signatures to take oxycodone for her own use on at least seven occasions involving two separate patients. When interviewed, Mathieus initially denied the allegations but later admitted to signing out pills under other nurses’ names, saying she became addicted after surgery and a recent assault by her boyfriend.
Mathieus is charged with one count of misdemeanor theft, two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, and two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information — all stemming from incidents between June 27 and July 31.
If convicted on all counts, she faces more than 13 years in prison.
“A concern was brought to our attention late last Wednesday night, and we immediately began to investigate,” said Lynda Bogdala, administrator of Brookside when contacted by KCE. “Law enforcement was subsequently contacted, and on Thursday afternoon, an employee was taken into custody. The employee has been placed on administrative leave while Kenosha County Human Resources continues its own investigation of the matter.”
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5 Responses
Junkie
Yes, addiction is a horrible thing. I hope none of your family members ever have to endure it or experience any failed interventions and loss of hope. Unfortunately it can happen to any family and the outcome sometimes is tragic. Unfortunately.
This nurse put her license on the line. I hope she gets the help she needs
Glad she’s gone! My neighbor just arrived there for rehab on Monday! At least she will get her pain meds for her broken hip rehabilitation!
Nobody will take care of your loved ones like family would.
Don’t abandon your elders even to the best facilities.
They cared for you; care for them.
Who’s running that place?