(MARIETTA, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that two Marietta residents are facing charges of theft from the elderly and receiving stolen property following an investigation conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation as part of the Ohio Attorney General's Elder Justice Initiative.
A Washington County Grand Jury indicted both Kenneth W. Smith, 46, and Sheila M. Willeck, 42, on two felony charges of theft from the elderly and two felony charges of receiving stolen property on Wednesday.
The charges, which were filed today, accuse the couple of stealing more than $128,000 between March and August of last year belonging to Smith's 71-year-old aunt.
"The victim in this case gave her nephew access to her bank account trusting that he would use her savings to pay her bills," said Attorney General DeWine. "Instead, our investigation found that Kenneth Smith and his girlfriend spent thousands of dollars on themselves for items such as a motor home and hot tub."
Authorities with the Attorney General's Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation began investigating the case after concerned family members called the Attorney General's Elder Justice Initiative tip line to report concerns that the victim's money was being criminally mismanaged.
Prosecutors with Attorney General DeWine's Special Prosecutions Section are prosecuting the case with the Washington County Prosecutor's Office. Authorities with the Washington County Sheriff's Office assisted BCI with the investigation.
Attorney General DeWine launched the Elder Justice Initiative last year to increase the investigation and prosecution of elder abuse cases and improve victims' access to services in Ohio. So far, the Attorney General's Office has received more than 230 requests for assistance and has opened multiple criminal investigations. The majority of complaints received are in regard to the financial exploitation of older adults ranging between $200 and $1,000,000.
Anyone who suspects incidents of elder abuse or financial exploitation should contact their local authorities or the Attorney General's Elder Justice Initiative at 800-282-0515.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840