Bookkeeper Admits Stealing More Than $100K From Seniors
WHEATON, IL (STMW)-- A west suburban woman who worked as a bookkeeper for two senior citizens pleaded guilty Monday to stealing more than $100,000 from them and now faces up to 15 years in prison.
Raimonda Uva, 36, of the 400 block of Victoria Ln. in Wood Dale pleaded guilty before Judge Robert Kleeman to one count of theft over $10,000, one count of theft over $100,000, and one count of financial exploitation of an elderly person over 70, according to a release from DuPage County State's Attorney's office.
Between July 15, 2005, and June 15, 2008, she stole more than $100,000 from 70-year-old Eugene Abbott. On at least 55 occasions, Uva, bookkeeper for Abbott's company, made unauthorized withdrawals and deposited the funds in her own account or used them to make payments on personal credit cards, according to the release.
Just months later, Uva began a similar scheme, stealing more than $10,000 from her second victim, a widow and her family for whom she was providing in-home bookkeeping. That theft occurred between August 2008 and January 2009, the release said.
The schemes were uncovered when one of the victims grew suspicious and contacted police.
"For more than three years Raimonda Uva stole from those who had placed their trust and confidence in her, including a senior citizen," State's Atty. Robert Berlin said in the release. "She lined her own pockets at their expense."
Uva's next court appearance is June 6 for return of a pre-sentencing report. She will be sentenced June 29, when she faces up to 15 years in prison. By law she will be required to complete 50 percent of her sentence before being eligible for parole.
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