Tongan woman in US ordered to pay $107K restitution for elder theft

A Tongan woman in  Redwood City, US has been jailed for five years probation and 364 days in county jail after siphoning US$107,108 out of the bank account of her elderly client. 

She was also ordered to pay US$107,000 restitution to her victim.

Nina Guttenbeil, 51, was sentenced Thursday after the court was told the thefts she committed using the ATM card of the 98-year-old San Carlos victim, began in 2015, San Mateo Daily Journal reported.

Guttenbeil was working for the 98-year-old elderly woman as a caretaker after the victim received a recommendation from a local church to hire her, The Journal reported.

Prosecutors charged Guttenbeil with felony theft from an elder by a caretaker, and felony identity theft.

The victim’s daughters discovered the thefts after they began looking into their mother’s finances earlier last year, authorities said.

According to the district attorney’s office, Guttenbeil admitted to the thefts when the women confronted her.

Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.

Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans  wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.

spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Latest news

Related news