A Madison County man has been charged with wrongfully obtaining control of his 90-year-old mother’s bank accounts.
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged 62-year-old Gary E. Schnapp with unlawful exploitation of an elderly person. He allegedly used deception to gain control of bank accounts containing $5,000 or more that belonged to Mary Schnapp.
A former New Madrid County official is charged with three counts of stealing from those under her care.
Nancy C. Pardon, who served as the New Madrid County Public Administrator until resigning in August 2008, is accused of a Class B felony of stealing for the theft of at least $25,000 in cash and checks from one of those under her care. Also she is charged with two Class C felonies of stealing for the theft of at least $500 from two others who she was responsible for as the public administrator.
Special prosecuting attorney Douglas S. Pribble with the Missouri Attorney General’s office filed the charges in New Madrid County on Sept. 25. Following her appearance Sept. 28 before Judge W. Keith Currie, Pardon was released on her own recognizance and scheduled to return to court on Oct. 7. Currie is an associate circuit judge from Pemiscot County who was appointed after Judge Charles Spitler recused himself from the case because he handles the probate docket in New Madrid County.
In the probable cause statement, Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Dennis A. Overbey stated Pardon was appointed guardian of the estate of Evelyn Barnes, who had two bank accounts. The Probate Court was not advised of the existence of an account containing $35,725.99, Overbey stated.
According to Overbey, within six months the account was drained of all but $81.38, at which time the final amount was withdrawn by Pardon and the account closed. “In six months Nancy Pardon spent $35,725.99 of Ms. Barnes’ money on herself. Ms. Barnes did not receive any money from this account once Pardon took control,” he stated.
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Former Southeast Missouri Public Administrator Charged With Stealing From Those in Her Care
Dean Dankelson, Jasper County prosecutor, said that access to the files is being limited at the request of federal authorities. Hunter told Probate Judge David Mouton there is no way she can answer questions before the court about former wards’ estates without file access.
Dankelson said he is keeping the materials locked away at the request of the U.S. attorney’s office.
Officials announced last month that federal authorities had taken over a probe into operations of the administrator’s office during Hunter’s tenure. Investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol started the probe in January after Hunter left office and took with her all the files of wards under the care of the public administrator’s office. She later returned about 30 boxes of files, and additional materials were recovered as a result of a search warrant.
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Feds want file access denied
See also:
Former Administrator Rita Hunter
Rita Hunter was registered with the National Guardianship Association (NGA) during her tenure. Angie Cassavecchia Ashens, Jasper County Public Administrator is now registered with the NGA.
A judge granted the temporary custody to Renee’s mother, Linda Lockwood. Pernice has been missing since January and is presumed to be dead.
All parties involved in the hearing agreed with the arrangement, including Renee’s husband, Shon Pernice, who is in jail on a separate charge. Renee’s parents filed a motion for emergency custody of the couple’s two sons following Shon’s arrest.
The judge has asked that a child advocate look into the situation.
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Grandmother Gets Temporary Custody Of Pernice Kids
More information:
Missing Northland Mother’s Family Gets Custody of Grandchildren
The ruling was made by David Mouton, Jasper County probate judge, in a dispute involving brothers Charles, Larry and Dale Chrisman over issues including the care of their mother, Dorothy Chrisman.
In addition to approving the charge assessed by Larry and Dale Chrisman, Mouton also approved payments of nearly $42,000 that had been taken by the brothers’ company without prior authorization by the court. Larry Chrisman must report to the court on expenditures from his mother’s estate because he was named her guardian and conservator June 12, 2008, after she was found by the court to be disabled and incompetent.
Mouton: “In an ideal world, no one would charge to take care of their mother. But in-home care is expensive, and I agree she should be kept in her home.”
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Probate court allows charges prompting brother’s challenge
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The ruling was made by David Mouton, Jasper County probate judge, in a dispute involving brothers Charles, Larry and Dale Chrisman over issues including the care of their mother, Dorothy Chrisman.
In addition to approving the charge assessed by Larry and Dale Chrisman, Mouton also approved payments of nearly $42,000 that had been taken by the brothers’ company without prior authorization by the court. Larry Chrisman must report to the court on expenditures from his mother’s estate because he was named her guardian and conservator June 12, 2008, after she was found by the court to be disabled and incompetent.
Mouton: “In an ideal world, no one would charge to take care of their mother. But in-home care is expensive, and I agree she should be kept in her home.”
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Probate court allows charges prompting brother’s challenge
While John Hinnah was a ward of former Jasper County Public Administrator Rita Hunter, more than $7,000 was sent as refunds from his estate to federal and state agencies, according to records.
That was part of the overview offered by Gretchen Long, attorney for Angie Casavecchia, the new Jasper County public administrator, in a status hearing on the case. Carol Aiken, Greene County probate commissioner, continued the case for 90 days to give attorneys time to sort out financial issues.
Aiken: “It sounds like a mess.”
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Former local probate case continued in Greene County
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95-Year-Old Fights Back
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While John Hinnah was a ward of former Jasper County Public Administrator Rita Hunter, more than $7,000 was sent as refunds from his estate to federal and state agencies, according to records.
That was part of the overview offered by Gretchen Long, attorney for Angie Casavecchia, the new Jasper County public administrator, in a status hearing on the case. Carol Aiken, Greene County probate commissioner, continued the case for 90 days to give attorneys time to sort out financial issues.
Aiken: “It sounds like a mess.”
Full Article and Source:
Former local probate case continued in Greene County
See also:
95-Year-Old Fights Back
National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse 