Newberry Woman Sentenced in Nursing Home Embezzlement Case

A Newberry woman has been sentenced to 30 months in jail on charges of embezzlement and filing false tax returns, United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced on Tuesday. 

The Honorable Michelle Childs sentenced Tina Lewis Clinton to 2 ½ years in jail after being charged with one count of embezzlement and five counts of filing false tax returns.  

According to a release, Clinton embezzled a total of $440,958.05 from the J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home in Newberry when she worked there as a bookkeeper from 2005 to 2009.

Clinton — who was responsible for making deposits for residents receiving Social Security and Veterans benefits — cashed the checks and used the money for her own use. 

Officials said Clinton was able to cover her theft by making accounting adjustments to the residents’ accounts.  

Clinton also failed to report the stolen income on her tax returns, and has an additional tax due and owing of more than $65,000, the release said. 

Nettles said no nursing home resident lost money as a result of the embezzlement because a bonding company covered the loss.

Clinton was ordered by the court to make full restitution of the loss to the bonding company and to the IRS. 

So far, Clinton has made a $15,000 payment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Clinton was fired from her position after the theft was discovered.