Charges: Burnsville Personal Care Assistant Stole $12K From Vulnerable Adults
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 57-year-old Apple Valley woman is accused of stealing thousands from vulnerable adults that were in her care at a Burnsville care facility.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Dakota County, Lola May Johnson-Mersha faces one felony count of identity theft and felony financial transaction card fraud (use without consent and over $2,500) in connection to the crimes, which allegedly occurred over the summer of 2015.
Johnson-Mersha, who is independently employed by the victims' family as a Personal Care Assistant, allegedly used the credit card for $12,000 worth of unauthorized fraudulent transactions.
According to the complaint, some of the transactions include car repairs for two of her cars and another repair for her godchild's car. She's also accused of making purchases at Wal-Mart, buying optical glasses and tires for her boyfriend, buying jewelry, making hotel reservations and more, the complaint said.
In total, she's accused of using the victims' credit card at least 11 locations in multiple counties.
Johnson-Mersha is also accused of receiving a blank check from the victim and using it to write herself a check made out for $6,500 and deposited in her account in late July.
If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine per felony charge.