"The Biggest Swindle That Elder Abuse ...Has Handled"

A caretaker is accused of stealing as much as $3 million from a prominent local rheumatologist who also served as assistant dean at the Michigan State University Medical School.

Police believe it is the largest case of alleged financial exploitation ever investigated by the elder abuse task force.

Andrea R. Neil, 30, of Flint Township is accused of scamming Dr. Dorothy Mulkey, 73, of Flushing out of the funds after the doctor was diagnosed with dementia, said Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell.

Neil had worked as an office assistant for Mulkey’s private practice and was hired as her caretaker after her retirement in 2006.

“I expect it to be the biggest swindle that elder abuse ... has handled,” said Pickell.

Pickell said Mulkey was worth about $4 million when she retired and planned to leave those funds to the University of Michigan.

Now, about $3 million is missing, said Pickell.

In addition to the $2,200 weekly Mulkey paid Neil and her husband for care, Neil allegedly convinced Mulkey to cash in an IRA worth $898,000 — which cost Mulkey about $365,000 in penalties — so Neil and her husband could buy a home in California, Pickell said.

The couple also had $78,000 worth of precious metals and coins that belonged to the doctor in their home, said Pickell.

“I’m sure they would have taken this entire estate,” he said.

Mulkey now has a court-appointed guardian.

Full Article and Source:
Largest Elder Exploitation Case: Andrea Neil Allegedly Scammed as Much as $3 Million From Dorothy Mulkey, 73