Husband of Caretaker Charged as Co-Defendent in Wife's Case

The Orange County district attorney's office is seeking the public's help in identifying potential victims of a caretaker accused of stealing money from elderly victims for personal purchases.

Leno Cassini, 56, of Laguna Niguel was charged today with two felony counts each of accessory after the fact and receiving stolen property, and one felony count of second-degree burglary. He was arrested Feb. 17  at the Los Angeles public defender's office, where he works as an administrative assistant. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison.

Additional charges were filed against Leno Cassini's wife, Norma Ruth Casini, 51, also of Laguna Niguel, after new victims came forward as a result of learning about her arrest in the media. Norma Casini is charged with 34 felony counts of fraudulently using an access card, 24 felony counts of forgery, two felony counts of caretaker theft from an elder, one felony count of residential burglary of an occupied home, and sentencing enhancements for loss over $100,000, property loss over $200,000 and white collar crime over $500,000. If convicted of all counts, Casini faces a maximum sentence of 49 years and eight months in state prison.

Both defendants are in custody on $610,000 bail and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. They are scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial hearing March 15 at 8:30 a.m. at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

Charges against Norma Ruth Casini

Nancy W., 85, is one of Norma Ruth Casini's alleged victims. The woman, who has required 24-hour in-home care in her Laguna Woods home since 2002, hired the caregiver service LivHOME to provide for her needs and basic care. LivHOME caregivers are paid by the company and are not to accept money from their clients.

Norma Ruth Casini was employed by LivHOME and is accused of being entrusted to care for Nancy W. from November 2006 to March 2009. Norma Ruth Casini is accused of stealing about $610,000 from Nancy W.'s bank accounts and credit cards for personal use. She is accused of using the stolen money to pay for her home lease, dog day care and a "dog whisperer," orthodontic work, laser eye treatment, shopping, concerts, travel, and other personal items.

In March 2009, Norma Ruth Casini was terminated by LivHOME after the company determined that the defendant was not in Nancy W.'s home during her shift. A subsequent review of the victim's bank accounts revealed that the alleged victim's savings had been depleted from more than $700,000 in June 2008 to less than $5,000 in April 2009.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department investigated the case and arrested Norma Ruth Casini on Feb. 2.  Additional victims came forward, which led to the arrest of Leno Casini.

Charges against Leno Casini

Between December and January, Norma Ruth Casini was employed as a caregiver by Home Helpers and is accused of being entrusted to care for married couple William and Helene S., 89 and 83 years old respectively. She is accused of taking Helene S.'s debit card, changing the PIN number, and using it to make everyday purchases totaling about $1,150. She is also accused of stealing Helene S.'s wedding ring set, which had an inscription of the couple's initials, and giving it to her husband to sell.

On Jan. 22, Leno Casini is accused of taking the rings to Jewelry Buyers, a pawn shop in Irvine. He is accused of selling the wedding set, claiming the rings belonged to his deceased mother.

Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is asked to call  Investigator Eric Akerlind at (714) 347-8691.