Man faces charges of elder abuse
Published: April 30, 2008
By Nicholas Grube
Triplicate staff writer

A Crescent City businessman faces trial for financial elder abuse.

Donnie W. Woodral, 40, who operates Woodral's Lawn Service, will be arraigned in Del Norte Superior Court on Friday for allegations that he bilked an 88-year-old woman out of more than $2,000 by forging her checks.

These types of cases are becoming more prevalent in Del Norte County and throughout the country as the Baby Boomer population begins to age.
According to Del Norte County Chief Deputy District Attorney Katherine Micks, the victim in this case, because of her poor eyesight, would have Woodral write $50 checks to himself using her checkbook.

"She trusted him to do what he said he was going to do and make them (the checks) out for $50," Micks said. The woman would then sign the check and give it to Woodral.
However, according to the charges, prosecutors contend Woodral added a zero to the $50 amount on a couple of occasions, making it $500. In one instance he added a one and a five in front of the $50 to make the amount $1,550, prosecutors say.
Woodral is charged with three felony counts of grand theft from an elder and three felony counts of forgery. After his preliminary hearing Tuesday, Micks said she is considering adding three more felony charges for knowingly being in possession of forged documents.

District Attorney Investigator A.C. Field said elder abuse is becoming more of a concern throughout the state and the nation because people 65 and older represent the fastest-growing segment of the population.

Abridged
SOURCE: Triplicate
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