MONROE - A New Glarus woman was charged Thursday with using an elderly man's health care payments for her own personal gain.
Mary Sue Way, 59, faces two Class G felony counts of theft of more than $10,000, one Class I felony count of theft of $2,500 and three Class H felony counts of misappropriating someone's identification information.
Way was charged after an investigation into the finances of a New Glarus resident. After the man failed to make several health care-related payments, Green County Human Services discovered that Way, who was granted power of attorney in the victim's affairs in 2013, had made several unauthorized payments of more than $23,000 for her own gain over two years.
Investigators found that Way had made unauthorized transactions with the victim's funds between June 24, 2014 and July 15, 2016. These transactions included Way's mortgage payments, bills, groceries and hotel stays.
Way told police that she has known the victim for 17 years and helped him with chores around his home.
When police asked Way if she had used the victim's money for personal gain, she said she had, adding that the victim was aware of it and encouraged it. She said the victim intended to leave all his money to Way's family.
However, when police told Way that the victim was upset that she had spent his money without his approval, Way called the victim a liar who couldn't be trusted due to mental illness.
Way signed a $15,000 signature bond Monday with conditions that she have no contact with the victim or the New Glarus Home.
Way's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22. Her maximum possible sentence is 20.5 years in prison.
Mary Sue Way, 59, faces two Class G felony counts of theft of more than $10,000, one Class I felony count of theft of $2,500 and three Class H felony counts of misappropriating someone's identification information.
Way was charged after an investigation into the finances of a New Glarus resident. After the man failed to make several health care-related payments, Green County Human Services discovered that Way, who was granted power of attorney in the victim's affairs in 2013, had made several unauthorized payments of more than $23,000 for her own gain over two years.
Investigators found that Way had made unauthorized transactions with the victim's funds between June 24, 2014 and July 15, 2016. These transactions included Way's mortgage payments, bills, groceries and hotel stays.
Way told police that she has known the victim for 17 years and helped him with chores around his home.
When police asked Way if she had used the victim's money for personal gain, she said she had, adding that the victim was aware of it and encouraged it. She said the victim intended to leave all his money to Way's family.
However, when police told Way that the victim was upset that she had spent his money without his approval, Way called the victim a liar who couldn't be trusted due to mental illness.
Way signed a $15,000 signature bond Monday with conditions that she have no contact with the victim or the New Glarus Home.
Way's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22. Her maximum possible sentence is 20.5 years in prison.