ALBANY, N.Y. -- Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has announced the arrest of a nursing home aide accused of sexually abusing a physically disabled patient.
Robert Gundersen, 51, of Middleburgh, is charged with first-degree sexual abuse and forcible touching.
Gundersen is employed by Northeast Nursing Staff Service, LLC of Glenmont and was assigned to the Eddy Ford Nursing Home in Cohoes in August and September. During that time, he was caring for a wheelchair-bound woman with Multiple Sclerosis.
According to court papers, Gundersen entered the woman's room on Sept. 2 and forcibly kissed her and put his tongue in her mouth. She attempted to push him away but was unable to because of her physical limitations.
Gundersen was arraigned and sent to the Albany County Jail on $20,000 bail. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison and would have to register as a sex offender.