first on decorahnews.com: Audit completed of money missing from Aase Haugen Homes

Former Aase Haugen Home Office Manager Nancy Elsbernd faces criminal charges of first degree theft and ongoing criminal conduct for allegedly taking money from the nursing home. 

According to court documents, Elsbernd told police she believes she had been taking money from the nursing home for the past five or six years.  The exact amount of the money taken was not known, although it was believed to be over $55,000

After charges were filed, the nursing home conducted another audit of its financial records.  decorahnews.com has learned that the audit has now been completed.

But that doesn't mean the exact amount of missing money will be disclosed to the public.  The results of the audit have now been ordered sealed by the Winneshiek County Attorney's Office.  And the figures might not be disclosed in court, either--Elsbernd is already charged with the highest degree of theft and any additional missing funds more than $55,000 will not change the charges against her.

Meanwhile, Aase Haugen Home officials say they're pleased with how operations at the home have improved in recent months.  The board hired Continuum Health Care Services as its consultants and has made several operational changes.  In a recent newsletter, Aase Haugen Senior Services Board President Steve Langland was quoted as saying, "The more we are finding out, the more confident we are in the restructuring decisions we made in January."

Aase Haugen Home officials also have completed interviewing three finalists for the job of Nursing Home Administrator.  A fourth candidate will be interviewed soon, with a hiring decision expected to be made in the near future. .

Elsbernd's trial on charges of is now scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on September 5th.