Oak Creek Woman Allegedly Stole Thousands From Senior Residence

A 55-year-old Oak Creek woman is facing charges after she allegedly stole thousands of dollars while managing a senior living center in Pewaukee.

Deborah J. Nowakowski was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Thursday with one count of theft of more than $10,000 from a business and 21 counts of identity theft for financial gain. If convicted, she faces up to 136 years in prison and $235,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

In 2009, an administrator at Cecelia Place, a Pewaukee assisted-living facility where Nowakowski worked as the manager, noticed thousands of dollars in unauthorized purchases.

Some of the purchases included baby clothes, alcohol and gift cards. Nowakowski said the baby clothes were used for dolls at the facility and the gift cards and alcohol were used as prizes for games.

Police executed a search warrant in April 2010 on Nowakowski's home. They found gift cards, receipts for gift cards, vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, animal traps, a pizza oven, refrigerator, slow cooker, Nintendo Wii games and hundreds of food items stocked in the basement.

Nowakowski lived in the home with two other employees, who police suspect may have aided in the thefts.

According to court documents, Nowakowski purchased $61,650 worth of items at Milwaukee County stores and $20,242 from Waukesha County stores.

The two roommates purchased $31,038 in good from Milwaukee County stores and $11,774 from Waukesha County stores.

Nowakowski will make her initial appearance in court March 5.