Therapist Convicted of Resident Abuse

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that a Waukesha County therapist has been convicted of two counts of Abuse and Neglect of Patients and Residents for improprieties at a Sheboygan County treatment facility in 2007.

John R. Monacelli, 46, appeared in Sheboygan County Circuit Court on November 17 and entered pleas of  no contest to the amended charges reached as part of a plea agreement, eliminating the need for trial. The Honorable James J. Bolgert withheld sentence, placed the defendant on two years probation with conditions of no clinical AODA practice, and imposed a total of $2,000 in fines plus costs. 

The charges had originated from Monacelli's employment as a treatment therapist for alcohol and other drug abuse at Genesis Behavioral Services, Inc. 

"The law recognizes that residents and patients in treatment facilities such as this are not to be exploited by those who are supposed to be facilitating treatment," said Van Hollen.  "These convictions demonstrate those responsible will be held accountable."

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Tom Storm.