JEFFERSONVILLE, IN (WAVE) - Clark County prosecutors say that a recently fired worker at Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville is facing felony theft charges after police say he scammed a cancer patient out of thousands of dollars, WAVE 3 first reported Thursday.
According to court documents, Arsalan Haq, a former financial advisor at Clark Memorial Hospital, had a financially-strapped immigrant cancer patient pay him instead of the hospital.
"I started being sick in July," said Ana Jimenez, the victim listed in the case.
That marked the beginning of a rough Summer 2011 for Jimenez, who was diagnosed with cancer a month later.
"They had to take out my spleen and then had to go through chemotherapy," she said.
She spent a month hospitalized, then it came time to pay the bill.
"She was assigned to meet with a financial counselor at the hospital, Mr. Haq, who ended up convincing her that she needed to pay him personally several payments to get medicaid and in order for her medical treatments to continue," said Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull.
And she did, police say, trusting -- and making several payments -- to 32-year-old Arsalan Haq.
"I did everything I could to give him the money because he said you have to give it to me and I'll find another way to help you," Jimenez told WAVE 3's Matt McCutcheon.
Three months later, it added up to nearly $2,500 that she scrimped, saved, and sacrificed; but it turns out it all went to a scam.
"He didn't put on my account, not even a penny.? He was taking my money and he wanted me to pay all cash," she said.
Her family cut corners.
"Very short Christmas for my family," she said.
Even friends helped out while her husband worked overtime.? Haq called her one night, demanding another $200.? That's when her friend called police, who worries Ana isn't the only victim.
"Our concern is that there could be more victims in this case," Mull said.
Sitting with her two daughters -- and out $2,500 -- she has yet another battle: doctors just discovered another cancerous spot on her stomach.
"So I have to keep on fighting.? I'll be okay," she said.
Smiling and optimistic, she just hopes to get back to a life she once knew, that was both cancer and fraud free.
In addition to four felony theft charges, he's also facing a charge of intimidation.? After being arrested, he posted $1,000 bond and will be in court in the coming weeks.
If convicted, he could spend up to 18 years in jail.
Clark Memorial Hospital released a statement to WAVE 3 News, saying:
"We are sorry that a patient and their family has had an unfortunate situation with one of our team members during an extremely difficult time for them.? We can assure you that the team member is no longer employed with our organization.? Clark Memorial is cooperating with authorities in this investigation."?
A hospital spokesperson couldn't say if they'd credit her the money that their worker reportedly scammed her out of.
Haq has a criminal past that.? Records indicate previous DUI charges, as well another pending fraud case.
Haq could not be reached for comment.
Copyright 2012 WAVE News. All rights reserved.
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