Sunday, August 9, 2020

Bloomfield Hills woman charged with stealing more than $70,000 from elderly veteran

Margaret Risdon, 60, of
Bloomfield Hills, was
arraigned on one count
 of embezzlement from a
 vulnerable adult between
 $50,000 and $100,000,
according to a news release
from Michigan Attorney
General Dana Nessel. (Photo:
Oakland County Sheriff's Office)
by Chanel Stitt

An Oakland County business owner is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly stealing more than $70,000 from an elderly military veteran.

Margaret Risdon, 60, of Bloomfield Hills, was arraigned July 16 on one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult between $50,000 and $100,000, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, according to a news release Monday from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Risdon was also arraigned on two counts of failure to pay taxes, a five-year felony.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General was made aware of the situation after the victim reported someone was stealing from him, according to the news release. The case was then referred to the Michigan Attorney General's office and its Elder Abuse Task Force.

Risdon allegedly wrote checks totaling about $56,800 to herself and her business, Electronic Creations from the victim's bank account between November 2016 and July 2017. There were also ATM withdrawals totaling more than $16,000, the news release said.

The victim at the time was suffering with physical and mental ailments and was unable to care for himself while residing in nursing homes and hospitals, the news release said. However, Risdon was not his guardian or conservator, nor did she have power of attorney for the victim.

Nessel said Risdon didn't file the state's income tax returns for the money she received from the victim, resulting in the tax charges. 

Risdon is scheduled to appear in court July 30 at 10 a.m. with a preliminary hearing on Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. She was given a personal recognizance bond of $5,000.

Full Article & Source:
Bloomfield Hills woman charged with stealing more than $70,000 from elderly veteran

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