An 86-year-old woman is facing charges for allegedly bilking a 99-year-old legally disabled veteran who lived in the same retirement community out of $10,000 and successfully concealing it until he passed away.
Holiday Lake Ridge Village is an all-inclusive independent living community in Eustice, Florida. One of the positions at the facility is “ambassador.” The ambassador collects the mail, works on putting together events, and shuttles other residents to appointments. An 86-year-old woman residing in the senior living facility was given the job, and she held it until she moved out in the summer.
While the woman was still living there, a 99-year-old legally blind and deaf veteran was involved in a financial scam that was discovered by his family in June, after the man passed away. His son said he saw unusual activity after he found evidence of a $10,000 cashier’s check drawn from his father’s account and made out to a woman whose name he did not recognize.
The authorities were notified, and when they went to the facility to talk to the woman, they found out that she had moved to a retirement community in another city.
The police investigated the claims and traced the cashier’s check, and they believed the $10,000 ended up being deposited into an unknown woman’s bank account. They also reportedly found evidence linking the former ambassador to the situation.
When they spoke to the woman by phone, the police asked her to come to the station to talk, but the investigators felt she was uncooperative.
The woman was taken into custody and booked into the Lake County Jail. She may face charges of exploitation of an elderly person, and grand theft from a person 65 or older. She was released the following day after posting bond. According to reports, the woman has entered a plea of not guilty to the accusations.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.