Renee Bullock of Redford Township was charged with one felony count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult. Bullock allegedly embezzled money from her elderly father while he was in a nursing home. Mich. Attorney General Bill Schuette says she used more than $140,000 of her father’s money for her own personal use.
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She was granted power of attorney and appointed guardianship of her father after he was admitted to a nursing facility in Westland. According to Schuette, Bullock failed to make payments to the nursing home from the time her father was admitted to the facility in Dec. 2010, until March 2012.
An investigation revealed that Bullock used the money to lease two cars, visit casinos, nail and tanning salons, numerous restaurants and retail establishments.
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Schuette also claims that cash advance loans were repaid with the money.
“Financial exploitation of Michigan’s most vulnerable, our seniors, is one of the fastest growing crimes,” said Schuette. “Nursing home residents are the most vulnerable and the least likely to detect or report exploitation. We are cracking down on criminals who target Michigan’s nursing home residents.”
Michigan was among the 27 states that in 2012, introduced legislation to address financial crimes against the elderly and other vulnerable adults.
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A recent study published by MetLife estimates that elderly victims lose $2.9 billion annually to fraud.
Family members are often responsible in these instances.
Bullock was released on a $10,000 bond and due back in court for a preliminary exam on Dec. 6th.
