MARCH 10, 2009
In the following press release Maricopa (AZ) County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced today that Laveen resident Peggy Joyce Moore, 67 (DOB 4/18/41), has been indicted on 21 counts of fraud and theft for alleged power of attorney abuses concerning the monetary affairs of a sick and elderly neighbor woman. The case will be handled by the Maricopa County Elder Abuse Unit. Since the formation of the unit was announced on February 16, 2009, the office has seen a marked increase in case submittals from Valley police agencies dealing with these potential abuses. Moore was arraigned on March 4, 2009.
According to a Phoenix police probable cause statement, the defendant befriended the victim after the death of her husband, and is reported to have convinced the victim to give her power of attorney to help in paying her bills and managing her finances. Over several years the victim’s health deteriorated until October 2006 when she became mentally incompetent to understand what the defendant was doing with her money. Further to the probable cause statement, Moore allegedly quit-claimed the victim’s home, valued at $172,000, into her own name through the use of power of attorney. Following this, it is alleged that the defendant began withdrawing money from the victim’s bank account and used the cash to pay her own bills and purchase a $33,000 Lincoln Navigator and $26,000 Mercedes Sedan. She later sold these cars at below market value and purchased a Lexus sports car.
“Financial abuses of the elderly, as alleged in this case, will not be tolerated,” said Thomas. “Our office will prosecute vigorously all charges of this nature.”
The February 17, 2009 indictment charges Moore with:
1 count - Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a class two felony,
10 counts – Theft, felony classes ranging from two to five, and
10 counts- Theft (Unlawful Use of Power of Attorney), felony classes ranging from two to five
Deputy County Attorney Michael Flynn is prosecuting the case.
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