ATTALLA, AL — An official with an East Alabama assisted living facility is accused of embezzling money from a resident of the facility, according to a federal investigation. Lisa Talton Wells Daugherty, 52, is charged with one count each of wire fraud, money laundering, filing a false tax return and theft of government property.
U.S. Attorney Jay Town said Daugherty obtained power of attorney from the victim and then arranged for the victim to become a resident of Oak Landing in Attalla. Daugherty then reportedly used the power of attorney to gain access to the victim’s assets. Town said Daugherty later transferred the victim’s assets to herself and purchased a primary residence, multiple vacations homes, automobiles and funded her lifestyle with the victim’s money.
“Elder abuse cases like this all too often go unreported and unchecked.” Town said. “The dedication and hard work of the agents investigating this case assures the people of Alabama that one such abuser will spend time as a resident of the federal prison system. In addition, the assets seized will begin to help restore some of the losses the victim sustained.”
U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick M. Davis, Social Security Administration Special Agent in Charge Rod Owens and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman III assisted with the investigation.
The maximum penalties for the charged crimes: wire fraud, 20 years and a fine of not more than $250,000 or twice the gross gain; money laundering, 10 years and a fine of not more than $250,000 or twice the amount of criminally derived property involved in the transaction; filing a false tax return, three years and a fine of not more than $100,000; and theft of government property, 10 years and a fine of not more than $250,000.