Charges dropped against Glenview woman accused of stealing $255,000 from 89-year-old Lincolnshire man
Charges have been dropped against a Glenview woman previously accused of stealing $255,000 from an 89-year-old Lincolnshire man, lawyers said.
Defense attorney Steven McCullom said a bank employee involved in the transaction told prosecutors the unidentified man willingly handed over the money to Theresa Lau, 45, of the 0 to 100 block of Park Drive.
Therefore, McCullom said, the state dropped criminal charges of financial exploitation of the elderly, theft and money laundering that could have sent Lau to prison for four to 15 years.
"Based on additional witness interviews on behalf of the state and the information obtained as a result of those interviews, we were not able to proceed with criminal charges," said Cynthia Vargas, spokeswoman for the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.
Lau, who was working for the man as a private nurse, was arrested by Lincolnshire Police last May after investigators said she took two payments totaling $255,000 from the man.
His son contacted police after Lau cashed the checks in June 2012.
Authorities said the man was also suffering from the early stages of dementia.
Authorities initially told Lau to return the money. When she didn't, she was arrested and charged.
Lau pleaded not guilty to the charges in October 2013, then rejected a plea deal in February that would have put her on probation.