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August 28, 2010

Girardville Woman Admits Stealing More Than $163,000 From Senior Citizen (USA)

BY PETER E. BORTNER STAFF WRITER 
August 27, 2010

A Girardville woman admitted Thursday in Schuylkill County Court that she stole more than $163,000 from an elderly Shenandoah woman from 2006 through 2008.
Michelle A. Connors, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts each of theft and receiving stolen property in connection with taking $163,358.93 from Mary O'Connell.
Judge Jacqueline L. Russell, who accepted Connors' plea, did not immediately sentence her, instead ordering a presentence investigation. Russell did not set a sentencing date, but said she definitely would need more information before approving the plea.
"I had questions about the plea," Russell said. "I need more information to justify whether this is an appropriate sentence."
Neither prosecutors nor James G. Conville, Schuylkill Haven, Connors' lawyer, would say what the proposed sentence under the plea agreement would be.
Russell could reject the agreement, in which case Connors would either withdraw her plea and take the case to trial or allow the judge to impose any sentence permissible under the law. The maximum possible sentence would be 14 years in a state correctional institution and $30,000 in fines.
Connors remains free on $5,000 bail pending sentencing. She said nothing while leaving Russell's courtroom, and people with her tried to obstruct photographers attempting to take her picture.
Shenandoah police and the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Elder Abuse Unit charged Connors with taking the money from O'Connell, who was 89 when the incidents allegedly started, between November 2006 and September 2008.
Investigators said the thefts occurred while Connors had power of attorney for O'Connell.
Connors took over the woman's assets, which totaled $222,692.61, in November 2006 and had control of the money until Sept. 11, 2008, prosecutors said.
During that time, Connors, who befriended O'Connell at Shenandoah Manor, bought items including a camera, computer and a cell phone using money from the woman's account, according to prosecutors. Connors worked at Shenandoah Manor and O'Connell lived there, prosecutors said.
Connors also made numerous ATM withdrawals and large counter withdrawals from the bank, including $5,000 that she used to fix a roof, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Connors also withdrew $10,000 she said was to prepay for O'Connell's funeral. The prepayment was actually $7,110 and Connors never returned the remaining $2,890, according to prosecutors.
Conville and Assistant District Attorney Robert P. Frantz each declined to comment on the case after the hearing.
County Detective Dorothy "Dolly" Malec, a member of the Elder Abuse Unit, said the case serves as a reminder about potential dangers in the handling of money.
"I believe this is a good warning not only to senior citizens but to anyone," she said. "We give training to law enforcement, clergy and home health care workers as to what to look for."Defendant: Michelle A. Connors


SOURCE:     The Republican Herald
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