Gaming News

Caretaker gambles away $770,000 from patient

KIRKLAND, Washington -- As reported by The Seattle Times: "A nursing assistant has been accused of supporting her gambling habit by stealing more than $770,000 from a woman she was caring for in Kirkland.

"Temalesi M. Morgan, 47, was charged Wednesday with 22 counts of first-degree theft in King County Superior Court. If convicted of all charges, she faces three to five years in prison.

"Morgan, who lives in Edmonds, was arrested on Feb. 18.

"The alleged victim, a 66-year-old woman, had been diagnosed with dementia and found Morgan through Visiting Angel employment agency in 2006, according to charging papers. But the woman's son, daughter and son-in-law later became concerned about her finances after a conversation with their mother's broker. They persuaded their mother to give the daughter power of attorney.

"When the daughter and her husband looked through their mother's accounts, they found large withdrawals from ATMs at casinos such as the Golden Nugget, the Kenmore Lanes card room, Goldie's, Drift on Inn and Silver Dollar, according to charging documents. Their mother, who uses a wheelchair, had not left her home in over a year, the documents said.

"In one 30-day period, 88 ATM withdrawals were made from her account, charging papers said. The woman had given Morgan permission to use her ATM card for groceries, cigarettes or cat food, according to charging papers..."

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