Once again, Orange County’s most vulnerable are the victims of a caregiver who was provided by a supposedly trusted source. This time, the agency is Project Independents, of Costa Mesa. According to the District Attorney’s office, the victims were 14 developmentally disabled adults and the amount stolen was over $100,000.

Shandie Marie Lacsamana Rosete, 33, Placentia, is charged with 14 felony counts of caretaker theft from a dependent adult and sentencing enhancements and allegations for aggravated white collar crime over $100,000, loss over $100,000 and property damage over $50,000. She faces a maximum sentence of 19 years in state prison if convicted. Rosete is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Nov. 19, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, and Santa Ana.

According to Farrah Emami, spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Rosete has already pleaded not guilty once. She was held to answer to the charges at a preliminary hearing on Nov. 4, 2009 after the judge ruled the evidence presented by the District Attorney was strong enough to move forward to a trial. Rosete was not arrested and is now out on her own recognizance. She has not been required to post bail.

The DA’s statement said “Rosete is accused of working as a caretaker for Project Independence, an Orange County non-profit that provides employment and independent living services to developmentally disabled adults. The defendant is accused of being entrusted to assist her adult clients with managing their money. Without the knowledge or consent of the victims, Rosete is accused of writing 663 checks to herself from the bank accounts of 14 developmentally disabled adults. She is accused of stealing over $100,000 from the victims. The Anaheim and Garden Grove Police Departments began investigating the theft after a relative complained to Project Independence that someone was stealing from his developmentally disabled relative.”

Project Independence’s mission, according to their web site, is “to promote civil rights for people with developmental disabilities through services which expand independence and choice. Project Independence provides supported employment and independent living services for people with developmental disabilities in Orange County…”

Project Independence apparently pursues this mission by providing staffers to, among other things, help the disabled clients manage their money. As part of this assignment, Rosete had her clients sign blank checks. She then made out some of the checks to herself and pocketed the cash.

Even though Project Independence was responsible for hiring and supervising Rosete and providing her to help the disabled clients manage their bank accounts, the DA’s office is not filing any charges against the non-profit organization.

DA spokesperson Emami said “She’s the one who’s responsible for committing the fraud, so she’s been charged. The agencies hire their employees and they’re responsible for their employees, but that doesn’t make them accessories.” Emami indicated there was no evidence suggesting that Project Independence had any criminal responsibility.

Project Independence could not be reached for comment.