Broken Bow woman accused of taking more than $100,000 from Central Nebraska Medical Clinic

BROKEN BOW - Jennifer Nielsen, a 49-year-old resident of Broken Bow, has been accused of embezzling over $100,000 from the Central Nebraska Medical Clinic (CNMC) over a span of 12 years. Nielsen made her initial court appearance in Custer County on March 24, facing serious felony charges related to the alleged theft.

The two felony counts against Nielsen include theft by unlawful taking and theft by deception, both involving amounts exceeding $1,500. The offenses, classified as Class III felonies, carry potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $25,000, or both, according to Judge Tami Schendt, who commented on the nature of the charges based on the timing of the incidents.

The Nebraska State Patrol began investigating the suspected theft in August, revealing that Nielsen, who managed the billing department from 2012 to 2024, allegedly misappropriated approximately $118,696.35. An internal audit uncovered discrepancies in cash payments made by patients between 2021 and 2024, totaling $13,482.92, which were reportedly kept by Nielsen rather than being posted to the appropriate accounts.

Further audit investigations showed a staggering $105,213.43 in payments unaccounted for from 2012 to 2024. As a result of Nielsen's actions, patient accounts were mistakenly marked as sent to collections, erasing any outstanding balances and effectively preventing patients from seeing the true status of their accounts.

Following her court appearance, Nielsen did not enter a plea and has posted bond. She is scheduled to return to court on April 21. Additionally, in a separate case, Thomas S. Thies, 36, of Ansley, was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading no contest to a felony charge involving the use of a deadly weapon.