A woman arrested in St. Johns County is accused of stealing more than $12,000 from an elderly victim and using the money for personal reasons, including paying court costs in a different case, Attorney General Ashley Moody said.
Monique Mejia, who was the power of attorney for the unnamed victim, used that authority to gain access to the victim’s personal bank account and transferred more than $12,000 to a personal account, according to Moody’s office.
“Acting as a trusted advocate, this defendant abused her authority and relationship with the victim in order to gain access to personal and financial information. Not only was money stolen, but the victim’s health care bills were neglected,” Moody said in a news release. “I will continue to do everything within the power of my office to stop Medicaid fraud and criminals preying on Florida seniors.”
Mejia took out a cashier’s check to pay court costs in an unrelated matter, all while leaving the victim’s health care expenses unpaid, according to prosecutors.
Mejia’s criminal actions prevented the victim from fulfilling financial obligations at the victim’s home and did not allow the victim to receive a proper burial after passing, the AG’s office said.
Mejia faces one count of exploitation of an elderly person -- a second-degree felony. If convicted, Mejia faces up to 15 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine in addition to repayment of restitution.
Attorney General Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute this case.