Women Plead Guilty to Exploitation

In Hardin Circuit Court Wednesday, 73-year-old Hazel F. Martin of Radcliff pleaded guilty to four counts of knowing exploitation of an adult over $300, after admitting she used her position under a power of attorney to unlawfully take more than $100,000 from the accounts of Marie Farmer, during times when Farmer was hospitalized or in a nursing home. Farmer, who has since passed away, was represented in court by the executor of her estate. The charges carry a possible sentence of five to 10 years on each count.

Iris Hodge, 63, also pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of receiving stolen property under $10,000 and four counts of facilitation to exploitation of an adult over $300. Hodge, also of Radcliff, admitted to facilitating Martin’s thefts through various means, including allowing Martin to deposit various checks written against the victim’s account into Hodge’s own account. The charges against Hodge carry a possible sentence of one to five years.

“The effects of financial exploitation on the elderly can be as devastating as physical abuse,” General Conway said. “Protecting Kentucky’s seniors from abuse, neglect, and financial fraud remain a top priority of mine.”

The investigation of this case was handled by the Office of the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations, with the assistance of the Kentucky Adult Protective Services (APS) of the Department of Community Based Services. Prosecution of this case was handled by General Conway’s Office of Special Prosecutions at the request of the Hardin County Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Sentencing is set for January 17, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in Hardin Circuit Court.

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Two Hardin County Women Plead Guilty to Exploitation