Former Bedford Hills Business Owner Sentenced to Shock Probation

The former of a Bedford Hills business was sentenced Thursday to 'shock probation' and ordered to pay restitution on her to felony charges of grand larceny, unlicensed practice of a profession, and a scheme to defraud, Westchester Couny District Attorney, Janet DiFiore, said Thursday.

Lisa Bruno, 38, of Westport, CT, owned Care Point Services, a firm contracted by the county to provide physical and operational therapy services. Bruno submitted bills for reimbursement to the county and claimed the services were district attorney's office.

In addition to her sentence of shock probation—a "boot camp" jail sentence for a term of years that is shortened when inmates are released to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision—Bruno was ordered to pay back the money she was accused of stealing between July, 2005 and February, 2009.

Bruno paid up front restitution in the amount of $300,000 along with the forfeiting of $57,000 in outstanding fees. She'll also have to pay $120,000 over the next five years as part of an order of restitution issued by the court for an additional $429,000.

“This defendant, in using unlicensed occupational and physical therapists, not only called into question their experience, ability and competence, but also jeopardized the safety and well being of her clients,” said DiFiore after the defendant was sentenced. “Additionally, by misrepresenting their certifications and double billing the Department of Health, she defrauded the taxpayers of Westchester County to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars which as part of her sentence, she will be repaying.”

Assistant District Attorney Brian Conway, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, prosecuted the case.