Clarksburg (West Virginia) man charged with elderly exploitation, embezzlement

From Staff Reports

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — A Clarksburg man is accused of stealing money from an elderly woman and then continuing to financially exploit her estate after her death, according to the criminal complaint against him.

William Kehrer, 52, is charged with embezzlement by a fiduciary and financial exploitation of an elderly person after allegedly taking more than $250,000 from the accounts of an 87-year-old woman who is now deceased.

Kehrer is alleged to have moved $266,266 from the 87-year-old victim’s account into his own.

Although Kehrer made “a good-faith effort” by writing a check for $13,930 for the woman’s care to the Clarksburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, he kept the remaining $252,336 in his own account, Clarksburg Police Detective A.C. Vernon alleges.

“The remainder of the money was misappropriated by being moved to the defendant’s account, without being used to assist (the victim),” Vernon said in the complaint.

Kehrer also is alleged to have embezzled nearly $20,000 from the woman’s estate following her death.

Kehrer, as the fiduciary of her estate, is alleged to have failed to produce for appraisement a 2007 Dodge Durango valued at $7,000 and a refund check from the Clarksburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in the amount of $11,542.

Kehrer also is alleged to have taken around $1,008.86 from the estate to “pay utility bills.”

If convicted on the embezzlement charge, Kehrer could face a prison sentence of not less than one nor more than five years, according to state code.

If convicted on the financial exploitation charge, he could face a fine of not more than $10,000 and prison sentence of not less than two nor more than 20 years.

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Clarksburg (West Virginia) man charged with elderly exploitation, embezzlement