Woman exploits elderly man for nearly $100,000

A 58-year-old Choctaw woman is accused of taking nearly $100,000 from a man in his 90s.

Earlier this month, detectives opened an investigation into Liela Legendre, 58, of Choctaw, after a report was filed claiming she exploited an elderly family member for which she has power of attorney. 

Detectives learned that Legendre had placed the man in a nursing home and had taken over his finances. 

In Feb. 2018, another family member of the man allegedly took over the power of attorney over him and started looking at financial records.

At that time, the family member discovered several instances where the elderly man’s finances were used by Legendre for her own personal use, accounting discrepancies which amounted to more than $95,000. 

One of the instances included a check made out to cash for $20,000 documented as being for future funeral expenses, but no money had been paid to the funeral home in question. 

Investigators also learned that the suspect had traded in the man’s mobile home as down payment toward the purchase of her own mobile home.

Detectives met with the victim and he confirmed he did not authorize Legendre to make any of the transitions listed above. 

Following investigation, a warrant was issued for Legendre’s arrest and authorities made contact with her on May 15, arresting her and booking her on charges of exploitation of the infirmed, a felony offense.

She was released after posting a $5,000 bond. 

Liela Legendre