• 17
  • August
    2010

Dwight K. Jones, of Dunedin, was arrested last week and charged with theft from a person 65 years of age or older. Jones is accused of stealing more than $260,000 from his elderly mother. His mother lives alone and appears to possess all of her faculties. Her name is not being released to protect her privacy.

Jones was appointed as his mother's power of attorney in 1999.

In 2004, Jones approached his mother about taking out a new equity line of credit on her home so that he could start a new painting business. Though she had paid off the mortgage many years ago, she agreed. Jones then asked his mother to take out another line of credit so he could buy a home to rent out. He said the rental income could supplement her Social Security payments.

However, Jones never started a painting business or provided his mother with any rental income from the rental home. Instead, he pocketed the $220,000 from the loans.

A spokesman for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office stated that Jones was living off of the money and most likely stole it so he would not have to work. This money was his only income, and he was not living lavishly.

Jones also charged about $41,000 worth of purchases on his mother's credit cards. He arranged for the bills to be sent to his home so that his mother would not suspect any wrongdoing.

Eventually, Jones' mother began to receive letters and phone calls from collection agencies and banks. His mother was confused and asked her daughter in Pennsylvania to help her sort out the situation. Upon the daughter's arrival in Florida, she discovered that her brother was taking advantage of their mother and contacted authorities.

According to the spokesman for the sheriff's office, Jones manipulated his mother by using his power of attorney and "acting in a position of trust and confidence."

Jones' mother is now left to deal with the many banks and credit card companies she owes money. Parts of her remaining assets have been frozen by JPMorgan Chase, who is taking legal action against her. She is trying to find a way to keep her home that she has owned since 1965.

Source: St. Petersburg Times "Dunedin man stole $260,000 from elderly mother, deputies say" 8/13/10