Monday, January 18, 2010

83-Year-Old Charged With Financial Exploitation

Martha M. Carlton, 83, of Benton appeared Tuesday in Franklin County court in Benton with her attorney Terry M. Green to hear charges filed against her.

A warrant for her arrest was filed on Dec. 21, 2009.

Count 1 alleges that Carlton, a retired school teacher, while serving as an agent of Inez Cunningham pursuant to a power of attorney, knowingly and deceptively obtained control over assets and resources of Cunningham amounting to $7,000 in U.S. currency.

The charge alleges that Carlton illegally used the assets for her own purposes and prevented Cunningham from learning about her actions by retaining all of Cunningham’s documents until on or about July 2009 in violation of Illinois Compiled Statues.

Count 2 alleges that Carlton committed the offense of unlawful financial exploitation of an elderly person on June 14, 2006, by creating a legal fiduciary relationship with Cunningham.

According to court records, Cunningham is over 90 years of age.

Both counts are considered Class 1 felonies.

Full Article and Source:
Woman, 83, Appears in Court On Financial Exploitation Charge

2 comments:

Norma said...

I wonder if Martha Carlton has a history of abuse or what happened in her life that she decided to do this awful thing at 83?

Anonymous said...

I agree, Betty. It's an awful thing.