(NORWALK, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced Friday that an Ohio woman is facing charges of grand theft and forgery for allegedly stealing nearly $100,000 from the trusts belonging to two children whose father died in 2007.
A Huron County grand jury indicted Stacie Bement, 45, of Wakeman, on 12 charges of forgery and three charges of grand theft. The charges are all felonies of the fourth degree.
The defendant was arrested Friday afternoon.
An investigation by the Norwalk Police Department found that Bement allegedly forged the trust custodian’s signature in order to transfer money to her personal bank account on multiple occasions between 2008 and 2012.
The trusts were created with life insurance money that was set aside for the children of an Ohio man who died more than ten years ago.
“It was the father’s wish that the money be given to his two children once they turned 18. Sadly, when the eldest child was old enough to access his account, he found that both trusts had been wiped out years ago,” said Attorney General DeWine.
Bement also allegedly created fictitious financial statements that made it appear as if the funds were still in the bank.
She allegedly spent the money from the trusts on a car, mortgage, and living expenses.
The case is being prosecuted by attorneys with Attorney General DeWine’s Special Prosecutions Section.