I was card manager of two credit cards on my grandparents account. I took care of them for 10 years or more, everything they needed. I did not ask or receive payment for this because they took care of me when I was little, so it was my turn to take care of them. I used the cards as I use them I pay back $200 to $300 a month on them. I'm disabled myself with bipolar and I got addicted to a gambling website and spent a bunch of some money on a card that I was manager of. My grandfather passed away last month and my uncle that has not been there in years came on and took over everything. He was so mad that I had spent the money that he told my grandmother I spent it on gambling and got me charged with exploiting my grandmother and transaction card fraud. Now the place I wasn't even paying rent for that was next door connected by a carport that my mom owned (she died 11 years ago). My grandfather never put it in my name and now I'm getting evicted in 30 days. I don't know what to do I don't have the money for a lawyer. They took everything out of my house when the cops busted in. Even my wife and my life savings ($15,000 cash) and my last check from disability. I had $400 left in my little safe. They took my phone and my tablet and for some reason I had a lot of Vapes and they took all those, too. I don't know what to do I have permission to use that card. I know I might have overused it some, but I was going to pay that back. My cousin hasn't seen my grandmother in 5 years and is now power of attorney. I don't even think she knows about it or she wouldn't let this happen. She told me everybody makes mistakes and that she will make sure I don't go to jail or anything like that, so don't worry about it. My cousin, who is power of attorney, has had the police put papers on my door that I can't go in and that eviction will happen in about 27 days. Is there anything I can do? What kind of lawyer do I need because I never committed fraud. I was manager, like I said, and I took care of my grandparents for over 10 years and that's worth way more than those credit cards were. Thank you very much. Please help me out. I don't know what to do. I am homeless now at 48 years old and broke. My grandmother has mild dementia that my uncle (her son) says she doesn’t, but I've been taking her to the doctor regularly and he thinks it's her hearing but her doctor said it was mild dementia and I knew that and my wife knew that because we took care of her and he did not. Thank you.
Your note to us is a bit "stream of consciousness" writing, and difficult to understand. I think perhaps you may have English as a second language? That can complicate things.
I hope that the family will come together.
I can only say that your experience does serve as a warning to people that when they do caregiving, even if it is for family, things must be legally done with a good, well written POA and a Lawyer, and with clear recording keeping of every penny into and out of the person's accounts. Being a caregiver and having control of funds is a Fiduciary duty. The law is generally very unforgiving of any mistakes made. So it is important to draw up "Shared Living Expense contract". And it is important to be meticulously honest. The repercussions can be dire if you are not.
I hope that things will work out for you; it sounds as though you are down to basically starting over. Do know that if you are brought into court it is not necessary for you to speak with people who want to interview you; you can request an attorney supplied to you by the courts if you are arrested. I wish you good luck. It does sound as though you made some serious mistakes over quite a long period of time.
You do need to consult an attorney for representation and guidance, so call a criminal attorney, as fraud is prosecuted as a criminal offense. Maybe it won't get that far, but be sure to get advice asap. If you don't hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to you free of charge if the case makes it to court.
Best of luck to you.
And that is not what you did as you were not your grandmothers POA. And yes, you committed fraud, all in the name of your gambling addiction.
It was your grandmother who is the victim here, not you. You are getting what you deserve.
You took advantage of your grandmothers kindness, and now you're wanting us to feel sorry for you. I'm sorry, but I just can't. Yes we all make mistakes, but often those mistakes are big enough where there must be consequences, and this is one of those times.
This is a tough lesson to learn, but I do hope that you will learn your lesson here. And please seek out help for your gambling addiction, as your wife and marriage deserve better.
It will make you look much better in court, if you do that.
And stop whining about things like vape pens, who cares. Start excepting you made a mistake, and own it.
Things for you will go much better. Best of luck
The best thing you can do is get a court appointed attorney and take a plea bargain. Do everything they tell you to do (check in with probation officer, stay drug, gambling and alcohol free, do your community service etc) and stay out of trouble.
As others have said, get yourself to some AA meetings and gambling anon meetings ASAP.
Stop posting on the internet. What you posted here shows you are guilty. Delete this post and get your life straight.
I think maybe people overreacted and should have given u a chance to pay back the debit. Since they pressed charges, these are ur consequences. I would see if Social Services can help you.
You need a lawyer to protect you. There is Legal Aid.