Margaret Risdon, 60, of Bloomfield Michigan was arraigned July 16 in 48th District Court in Bloomfield Township before Magistrate Andra Richardson on one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult between $50,000 and $100,000, a 15-year felony. She was also charged with two counts of failing to file taxes, both five-year felonies, according to a release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

The case was referred to Nessel by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, which began its investigation after the victim raised concerns that someone was stealing from him.

Between November 2016 and July 2017, Risdon allegedly wrote checks from the victim’s bank account to herself and her business, Electronic Creations, totaling nearly $56,800 and made ATM withdrawals totaling more than $16,000. Risdon would then deposit the checks into her bank account and withdraw the money in cash, the release said.

During the time of the alleged theft, the victim was unable to care for himself as he suffered from physical and mental ailments and resided in nursing homes and hospitals. Risdon did not have power of attorney for the victim, nor serve as his guardian or conservator.

Information excerpts from The Oakland Press