Woman, 84, may lose house in alleged fraud case

The live-in caretaker of an 84-year-old Huntington Beach woman allegedly took out fraudulent loans in her name, bilking her out of about $200,000 and putting the woman’s home in danger of foreclosure, authorities said today.

Cindi Dee Powell, 54, has been charged with financial elder abuse, grand theft, identity theft, vehicle theft, fraud and forgery. She remains in custody.

According to police, Powell moved in with Constance Wakefield about two years ago to help the wheelchair-bound woman around the house and drive her to appointments. Wakefield hired Powell through a classified ad and did not know that Powell was on probation for previous financial elder abuse.

Beginning in 2006, police said, Powell took out fraudulent loans on Wakefield’s home and opened bank accounts in her name, using the money to buy and sell cars — including Wakefield’s — among other purchases.

“We don’t know where the money’s gone,” said Huntington Beach Police Sgt. Greg Davis. Powell “must have been buying things, and the paper trail kind of ends. The money’s not there.”

As a result, Wakefield is now underwater on her mortgage and faces possible foreclosure, Davis said.

Police were alerted to investigate Powell after bank employees became concerned over Powell bringing in the elderly woman to withdraw $400 every few days and reported the situation to adult protective services. According to police, Powell duped Wakefield and eventually obtained power of attorney over her.

“The suspect’s got a real strong personality, kind of overtook Connie’s life and was running everything,” Davis said.

Wakefield is living in a care facility because of a broken foot. Her daughter lives in South Africa, Davis said, and Wakefield will probably move there.

-- Susannah Rosenblatt

Comments

[Tony]

There are certain crimes which poeple commit, and there are these type of freaks who take advantage of the elderly and frail in their care. If this person had done this before she should've never seen the light of day to be able to do it again to someone else. Lock her up and throw away the key.

[Georgia]

I had a extremely similar experience with my parents. And after having her arrested I learned that due to overcrowding, the felon will likely not do time. Court is still a couple of months away (nearly a year since she was caught) She's been spotted in town with her next victim out shopping for her. Just like she did with my Dad. My question is how to keep them from doing it again if they are not imprisoned. Google her and nothing comes up. My folks won't ever see their stuff again, so all I can do with this experience is try to keep it from happening to others. But the laws prevent me from posting anything derogatory, even after it is proved in court. My heart is broken.

[Elaine Renoire]

There's another story here that's being overlooked - what happens to the victim now? Will this lady be allowed to move and be with her daughter?

Here’s a shocker - the victim is often re-victimized by the system claiming to be protecting them - via a forced guardianship.

Guardianship wards are stripped of all rights: the right to decide where to live and whom to associate with, how to spend (or save!) one's own money, accept or refuse medical treatment - or even ask for a second opinion, vote, marry, etc.

Most important, guardianship wards are stripped of the right to complain.

With the fox guarding the henhouse and the hens muzzled, guardians and their attorneys can easily unjustly enrich themselves at the expense and detriment of the very person they have been court-appointed to "protect".

Visit NASGA at www.StopGuardianAbuse.org and the NASGA blog at http://NASGA-StopGuardianAbuse.blogspot.com for more information.

Forewarned is forearmed!
Yours,
Elaine Renoire
NASGA

[Colleen Cassity]

So sad that this stuff goes on. It's amazing what people will do. Check out this link for other scary fraud stories.