Man was warned he was paying too much for nurses

S. Edward Marder was told in 2003 that he was paying too much for nursing services, Marder's former accountant testified Friday.

Michael Cottle said he believed the most flagrant extravagance was found in the salary Marder paid his former head nurse, Mary Williams.

Williams, 70, of Reno, Nev., is charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person and criminal neglect of an elderly person for allegedly draining Marder's bank accounts while in his employ.

Cottle said he was Marder's accountant for many years and helped supervise the trust accounts that held Marder's estimated $40 million wealth.

Prosecutors say Williams, who was one of six nurses employed by Marder between 1999 and 2005, gradually took control of some of Marder's financial duties and supervised other nurses at the Highland Park house.

Cottle said he told Marder his nursing expenses were excessive for his particular medical needs.

Prosecutors say records show Williams went from making just over $100,000 in 1999 to $459,000 in 2004.

Marder also gave Williams gifts of money, Cottle said, sometimes as much as $17,000 over a year.

"He thanked me for giving him the information," Cottle said. "He was mad at himself for letting it get out of hand and I believe he wanted to do something about it."

But Cottle said he was concerned about Marder's failing health and memory problems, and does not believe his client ever addressed the issue.

Defense attorney Thomas Breen of Chicago asked Cottle if he was aware Williams and another nurse traveled with Marder on his frequent trips out of town.

Breen said one reason Williams made so much money in 2004 was she was on the road with Marder about eight months out of the year.

Cottle said he would expect Williams to be paid more when she traveled with Marder than she would make working at his house, but added he believed Marder was out of town only two or three months in 2004.

Testimony in the trial, which is being heard by Associate Judge George Bridges, is expected to resume later this month.