Charged with Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult

A former Hettinger County resident has been charged for allegedly exploiting a vulnerable adult earlier this year. A preliminary hearing was held for Gregory Goetz, 47, Thursday.

James Gion, Hettinger County state’s attorney, said neither Goetz nor his wife presently reside in Hettinger County. Clarence Tuhy, Stark County sheriff, said Goetz resides in Richardton.

Goetz is out on a $50,000 surety bond, Gion said.

Goetz was appointed as the conservator of his wife and is accused of obtaining or using money held in a conservatorship, according to a Hettinger County criminal complaint.

In August, Goetz was put in charge of about $270,000 which belonged to his wife, said Pat Helfrich, special agent of the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, at the hearing.

The money, which reportedly came from a legal settlement in Alaska, was put into a bank account, Helfrich said. However, the money was then removed from the bank account, he said.

“… the money had been taken out in cash and it was put in a safe,” Helfrich said. “According to the report from (Goetz’s wife), the bank strongly suggested not doing so, but she said that Greg insisted.”

Approximately $41,000 is left of the money, Helfrich said.

The money was reportedly spent on several items, such as vehicles, a trip to Las Vegas and dental work. Goetz also is accused of giving some of the money to his girlfriend and his ex-wife, Helfrich said.

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Area Man Charged With Exploitation