A York County woman was arrested last week on charges that she stole more than $300,000 from her elderly aunt.
Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendant as Rita Wynegar, 52, 431 Dartha Drive, Dallastown, York County.
According to the criminal complaint, in April 2010 the York County Area Agency on Aging received a complaint that an elderly woman, who resided at the Brunswick of Longstown personal care home was being financially exploited.
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The charges state that in 2002 the elderly woman appointed Wynegar, her great-niece, as her Power of Attorney. In September 2006 Wynegar allegedly took over full control of her great aunt’s finances.
Kelly said that as Power of Attorney, Wynegar was responsible for all financial accounts and receipts for her great aunt. At the time there was more than $20,000 in the original checking account and more than $122,000 in Certificate of Deposits.
According to the criminal complaint, since she obtained financial control of her great aunt?s finances, Wynegar allegedly misappropriated more than $300,000 for her own use.
Wynegar was arrested on July 5, 2012 and charged with two counts of forgery, one count of theft by unlawful taking, and one count of theft by deception. She was preliminarily arraigned before Dallastown Magisterial District Judge Scott Laird and released after posting $25,000 straight bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 2, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
The case will be prosecuted in York County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Anthony Forray of the Attorney General’s Criminal Prosecutions Section.
Kelly noted that the Office of Attorney General offers a program aimed at educating seniors about crimes, like this one, and how to avoid becoming victims. The theme of the Senior Crime Prevention University is ?AWARE, AVOID, ALERT”.
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