Chatfield Couple Charged With Stealing From Alzheimer Patient

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Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - A rural Chatfield couple has been charged with stealing nearly $100,000 from a vulnerable adult.

The felony theft cases were filed this week against 68-year-old Bruce and 66-year-old Deborah Amundson.

They have been ordered to make their first court appearance in July.

The criminal complaint says an Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office investigator received a report in April 2021 “regarding the welfare of an adult female” and “a large amount of money” that was transferred from her bank account to one in the couple’s name. The investigator learned Bruce Amundson had been given power of attorney over the woman’s affairs.

The investigator was also told the victim had an outstanding bill of nearly $30,000 at the local care facility where she had been living.

The investigator reviewed bank records from January 2018 to April 2021 and confirmed the questionable transfers. The Amundsons told the investigator the transfers to their bank account were approved by the woman in exchange for their care of her but they could not produce a contract.

The Amundsons also told the investigator the woman’s dementia became so advanced in April 2018 that they could no longer care for her and placed her in a nursing home.

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