Attorney accused of stealing $87,000 from disabled woman with head injury

Joseph Baessler

FLINT (WJRT) (4/9/2019) - Police have charged a local attorney with embezzling $87,000 from an incapacitated woman who suffered a closed head injury 35 years ago.

Joseph Baessler was appointed the conservator for the 64-year-old woman after she suffered a closed head injury during a crash in 1984. She has been incapacitated and required around-the-clock care ever since.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said his Elder Abuse Task Force began investigating Baessler. They determined he billed the woman for time and services he did not perform amounting to $87,962.

He said Baessler used that money to pay his legal secretary, pay his mortgage, pay his condominium fees and to spend on personal use.

Baessler was arraigned on one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine equaling three times the amount embezzled if he is convicted.

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Attorney accused of stealing $87,000 from disabled woman with head injury