Ridge woman working with disabled adults accused of identity theft, state officials say

A Ridge woman used her position working with developmentally disabled adults to gain access to a client's personal records and use that information to open a utility account for her home -- under his name, state officials say.

Blossom Officer Thame, 55 and a worker for the State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities, helped oversee seven Suffolk County group homes.

She was arrested Friday and will face one count of identity theft in the second degree, a class E felony, when she is formally charged at an August 25 arraignment, according to the New York State Inspector General's office

Thame could not be reached for comment and has been on administrative leave since late March. If convicted, she could face up to four years in prison.

The inspector general's office said Thame received more than $1,400 worth of electric utility service under a client's name.

Jennifer O'Sullivan, a spokeswoman for the State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities, condemned the alleged fraud.

"Any abuse or exploitation of the individuals in our care will not be tolerated," O'Sullivan said. "OPWDD works closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that all allegations of abuse and neglect are fully investigated, and if substantiated appropriate disciplinary action is taken."

In an unrelated incident, Thame was charged in April with providing false information on a New York State driver's license application, the inspector general's office said.

She was charged with one count of offering a false instrument for filing, a class E felony.

The inspector general said she applied for a second license using the name "Blossom M. Officer-Thame" and did not disclose that another license under the name "Blosson Thame" had been suspended.

That case is still pending.

At the time that the alleged identity theft took place in which her client's information was stolen, Thame was responsible for seven Suffolk County group homes, including five independent residence alternatives and two independent care facilities.

Authorities said she was responsible for 57 developmentally disabled adults.