The business manager of a Morristown assisted living facility has been charged with exploiting her position to steal approximately $237,000 from an elderly victim under her care, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Officials say, Marcella Drakeford, 45, of Jensen Beach, Florida, is charged with six counts of mail fraud. Drakeford was arrested today and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shaniek M. Maynard in federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida. She was indicted March 16, 2018, by a federal grand jury sitting in New Jersey and is scheduled to be arraigned April 4, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court.
According to the indictment:
Beginning in December 2016, Drakeford allegedly agreed to help manage her victim’s financial affairs and pay for her care. Officials say she was granted limited access to the victim’s checking account.
Unbeknownst to the victim or the victim’s guardian, officials say Drakeford already had fraudulently gained access to the victim’s credit card account and had several cards issued in her name.
Drakeford then used the credit cards for personal expenditures, including clothing, jewelry, and automobiles, dental work, rent, and utilities.
According to officials, Drakeford paid off the credit card bills with checks drawn on the victim’s checking account, all without permission then allegedly defrauded the victim of approximately $237,000.
Officials say each count of mail fraud with which Drakeford is charged carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the scheme.