LANSING ? An Oakland County woman who pled guilty to stealing from an elderly veteran has been sentenced, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today.?

Margaret Risdon, 62, of Bloomfield Hills, was convicted of one count of Embezzlement from a Vulnerable Adult between $50,000 and $100,000, a 15-year felony.??

Judge David M. Cohen of the 6th Circuit Court sentenced Risdon to three years? probation and 100 hours of community service. Risdon was also ordered to work a part-time job and is prohibited from violating any law or consuming drugs and alcohol. Risdon was also ordered?to pay $72,843 in restitution to the victim?s estate.?

This matter was referred to the Michigan Department of Attorney General from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which began its investigation after the victim raised concerns that someone was stealing from him.?

?Protecting our most vulnerable populations is one of my top priorities,? Nessel said. ?I appreciate the hard work done by investigators at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the dedication of my prosecutors who relentlessly pursue those who target our state?s most vulnerable adults.??

Between November 2016 and July 2017, Risdon wrote checks from the victim?s bank account to herself and her business, Electronic Creations, totaling nearly $56,800 and made ATM withdrawals totaling more than $16,000. Risdon would also deposit checks into her bank account and use the money for her own purposes. The victim was disabled and resided in nursing homes and hospitals. Risdon did not have power of attorney for the victim, nor serve as his guardian or conservator.??

Risdon also failed to file State of Michigan income tax returns to account for the roughly $72,000 she received from the victim.?

To learn more about the Attorney General?s Elder Abuse Task force and its initiatives, visit the Attorney General?s website.??

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