Bloomfield Hills Woman Steals $70K From Elderly Veteran: Officials

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI — A Bloomfield Hills woman who admitted to stealing more than $70,000 from an elderly veteran will not serve jail time, but rather three years of probation and 100 hours of community service, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.

Margaret Risdon, 62, was convicted of one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult between $50,000 and $100,000, which is a 15-year felony. She was also ordered to work a part-time job and prohibited from violating laws or consuming drugs or alcohol.

A judge also ordered Risdon to pay $72,843 in restitution to the victim’s estate.

Officials said 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 between November 2016 and July 2017.

Risdon wrote deposited the checks into her personal bank account and did not file State of Michigan income tax returns to account for the $72,000 she stole, officials said.

Risdon stole the money from an elderly veteran who was disabled and living in nursing homes and hospital, officials said. She did not serve as his power of attorney, guardian or conservator.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs began investigating after the man reported that he believed someone was stealing money from him, officials said. The case was eventually sent to the Michigan Department of Attorney General.

"Protecting our most vulnerable populations is one of my top priorities," Michigan Attorney General Dana 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."

To file a report of elder abuse, call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Adult Protective Services at 855-444-3911.