Petaluma Care Provider Accused Of Bilking Elderly Clients

Lisa Chavez

PETALUMA, CA -- A Petaluma woman who works as an in-home care provider is suspected of stealing money from at least two of her elderly clients. According to a Petaluma Police Department news release, Lisa Chavez was arrested Monday following a week-long investigation that allegedly revealed she pocketed a combined $3,000 from the clients.

In one case, police say the victim had given her debit card and PIN number to Chavez for the purpose of making routine purchases.

"However, Chavez also used the victim’s debit card to withdrawal cash at banks, other than the victim’s, and the Graton Casino," said Petaluma police Sgt. Lance Novello.

The victim's loss exceeded $1,500, Novello said.

Through the course of their investigation, police learned that another elderly victim who employed Chavez found she was missing around $1,500 cash she had been saving for a medical procedure.

"The victim confronted Chavez, who then admitted to the theft and agreed to pay the money back in increments," Novello said.

Investigators pieced together account statements, surveillance images and Chavez’s payroll records, all which allegedly revealed a pattern consistent with the victim’s losses, the sergeant said.

Petaluma police contacted Chavez on Monday and after interviewing her, placed her under arrest on suspicion of fiduciary elder abuse and identity theft.

"Chavez was booked into the Sonoma County Jail with a bail enhancement due to the nature of the offenses, but was then released on bail," Novello said.

Police are continuing their investigation and encouraged anyone else who may have been victimized by Chavez to contact the Petaluma Police Department.

Chavez's employer was notified of the allegations and is cooperating with the investigation, Novello said.

Full Article & Source:
Petaluma Care Provider Accused Of Bilking Elderly Clients

Liberty attorney indicted after stealing victim restitution funds

LIBERTY, MO (KCTV) - A Liberty attorney has been indicted for allegedly stealing money that was meant to be used for victim restitution.

Robert J. Young II, a 47-year-old attorney from Liberty, was charged on Wednesday in an indictment that was unsealed to the public on Thursday.

According to the indictment, Young was representing Rodney J. Tatum, a man who had been convicted of mail fraud after embezzling money from his employer. Young then allegedly obstructed justice by embezzling money that Tatum’s family had given him for paying restitution in the criminal case.

Young’s scheme was to spend those restitution funds on a motorcycle for himself, make various cash withdrawals, make rent payments, and make retail purchases.

At Tatum’s sentencing on Jan. 21, Young wasn’t able to provide restitution of $62,412. However, that amount was later paid.

The sentencing hearing ended on March 3, where Tatum was ordered to pay a total of $442,810 in restitution and was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison.

Young used an Interest on Lawyers Trust account to accept four deposits from Tatum’s wife that were meant for paying restitution. Tatum’s wife also made a deposit into Young’s business account the same reason. The total amount of the checks was $42,412.

Young then allegedly told Tatum’s wife to cut a check and make it payable to him, since the FBI was seeking charges against Tatum for money laundering and the Tatums’ joint checking account would be frozen. Young said that he would be able to protect their money in his business account, so Tatum’s wife gave him a check for $20,000.

The indictment alleges that Young made numerous transfers of restitution funds from the trust account into his business account over the course of the scheme.

Tammy Dickinson, cautioned that the charge in the indictment was an accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in the case against Young will be presented to a federal trial jury later.

Full Article & Source:
Liberty attorney indicted after stealing victim restitution funds