Woman Faces Mail Fraud and Identity Theft, Stealing Over $300,000 From Elderly Couple

WNC -- July 25, 2023: Andrea Brawley, 45, of Conover, N.C., is facing federal charges for stealing more than $300,000 from two elderly cousins, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. 

A federal grand jury in Charlotte, North Carolina, charged Brawley with mail fraud and more serious identity theft.

Robert M. DeWitt, who is in charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Sheriff Donald G. Brown II, who is in charge of the Catawba County Sheriff's Office, will join U.S. Attorney King in making the statement today.

The indictment says that from August 2016 to January 2023, Brawley stole money and property from an elderly couple named J.S. and M.S. in court papers. She did this by taking advantage of her relationship with the victims to steal their money and property. The indictment says that Brawley got into the victims' personal and business bank accounts. She was supposed to use these accounts to handle their personal and business matters and pay their regular bills. Instead, Brawley is said to have used her access to send money to herself, which caused the victims to lose a lot of money. For example, Brawley is said to have not paid the bills on time for the victims' home equity line of credit. Because of this, the couple's house went into default, and they lost it. Brawley is also accused of emptying the victims' retirement accounts without their knowledge or permission by making fake retirement distribution forms. This put the victims in even more financial trouble. During the scheme, Brawley is said to have stolen more than $300,000 from J.S. and M.S. and M.S.'s business.

According to the indictment, Brawley tried to keep J.S. and M.S. from finding out about the fraud by telling them lies about the reason for the foreclosure and about their financial and personal lives. The indictment says that Brawley also cut J.S. and M.S. off from their friends and family by taking their cell phones, pretending to be them when talking to third parties, driving them to different places around the state, and stopping them from going back home. The indictment also says that Brawley stole J.S. and M.S.'s names, addresses, and account numbers as part of the scam.

“Elder financial abuse continues to rise at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, when older adults are victims of financial exploitation it is incredibly difficult for them to recover financially and recoup their losses. And when the fraud is perpetrated by a trusted friend or close family member, the added emotional devastation can be overwhelming,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My Office’s elder financial exploitation cases receive the priority they deserve, and we are committed to doing all we can to combat elder financial abuse and ensure that older adults are supported and protected from fraud.”

“When you stop and consider the true impact of elder financial fraud, it is devastating. People should not work 40 years or longer only to have their life savings swindled away,” said Special Agent in Charge DeWitt. “The FBI will work tirelessly to protect the elderly and help educate them and those who love them, how not to fall victim to fraud.”

“My office is striving to combat the victimization of our older adults,” said Sheriff Brown. “Elder financial abuse often has a lasting and debilitating effect, especially when a close trust or confidence is violated. We will continue working with our local, state, and federal partners to seek justice for these victims.”

The mail fraud offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, consecutive to any other term of incarceration imposed.

Editor's Note:* A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.

Source: Press Release July 20, 2023, U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of North Carolina 

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