Westport Woman Faces 5-15 Years for Stealing $850K

A Westport woman pled guilty Thursday to a four-count indictment in Westchester County Court, after she was charged in December for allegedly using her New York-based physical therapy business to defraud the county health department of more than $850,000.

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore said that Lisa Bruno, 38, entered her plea to felony charges of grand larceny, unlicensed practice of a profession, and a scheme to defraud.

Bruno’s business, Care Point Services in Beford Hills, was contracted by the county to provide physical and occupational therapy services. According to prosecutors, Bruno intentionally submitted bills for reimbursement to the Westchester County Department of Health, and claimed they were for services provided by licensed therapists employed by Care Point. She was charged with stealing in excess of $50,000 from the county between July, 2005 and February, 2009. Bruno has pled guilty to knowing the therapists were unlicensed, according to authorities.

Bruno also intentionally submitted duplicate bills for services and received $852,425 in public funds from the county, the D.A.’s office said. As a condition of her plea, the court issued an order of restitution. Bruno must pay back $357,000 at the time of her sentencing and pay the remaining funds over time.

Bruno’s sentencing is scheduled for June 23. She faces a maximum of five to 15 years in state prison.