FRANKFORT, KY (March 14, 2005) -Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced today that Joan Blankenship, 50, a resident of Franklin County who provides health care to people in her home, pled guilty to wanton or reckless exploitation of an adult.

An investigation by Stumbo’s Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Division and agents with the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation (KBI) disclosed that between February, 2003, and July, 2004, Blankenship financially exploited the victim (identified by the initials E.P.), by improperly using E.P.'s financial resources for personal purchases, thus, depriving E.P. of those resources for her health care expenses incurred as a resident of Bradford Square. E.P. is mentally and physically handicapped. Blankenship was acting as the victim's power of attorney at the time.

Under the terms of Blankenship's guilty plea, made February 25, 2005 in Franklin Circuit Court, she will terminate all but one of the power of attorney/legal guardian relationships she holds and will never again seek or accept power of attorney/legal guardian relationships, or seek employment in a caretaker position for vulnerable adults or children. Additionally, Ms. Blankenship will make restitution of $3,047.70 to Bradford Square within a one year period of time, in exchange for a probated sentence.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2005.