Two Lafayette Nurses Arrested on Drug Charges

Two Oxford nurses are facing charges for illegally obtaining controlled substances while on duty, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.

Hayes

Debra Hayes, 55, and Rhonda Advani, 42, turned themselves in to investigators with the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Tuesday following indictment by the Lafayette County Grand Jury on one count each for obtaining a Schedule II controlled substance by means of fraud. The indictment alleges that the defendants, while on duty and employed as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) by the Graceland Care Center in Lafayette County, unlawfully acquired and converted to their own use the drug Lortab which had been prescribed for patients. The Graceland Care Center initiated the complaints to the Attorney General’s Office and fully cooperated during the investigations.

Advani

If convicted, both defendants face up to five years behind bars and $1,000 in fines. As with all cases, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case is being investigated by MFCU Investigator Joe Sanderson. Prosecution of Hayes will be handled by Special Assistant Attorney General Garland Lyell and prosecution of Advani will be handled by Special Assistant Attorney General Jonas Bowen.