EVERETT — An 80-year-old Everett woman plans to sell her house to help repay the money she bilked from her ailing neighbor.
A Snohomish County Superior Court judge agreed Tuesday not to send Ella Harris to jail but ordered her to pay back $23,000 by early August. Harris could be sanctioned if she doesn’t make the payment.
She faced up to three months in jail under the state’s sentencing guidelines.
Harris is believed to have embezzled nearly $70,000 from her friend and neighbor between 2011 and 2014. The 74-year-old victim had developed dementia and was easily confused, court documents said.
A police investigation revealed that Harris wrote herself dozens of checks from her friend’s account. She also used the woman’s debit card on multiple occasions, including at ATMs near the Tulalip casinos.
Harris denied stealing from her neighbor, saying the woman had loaned her money.
The theft allegations came to light in 2014 after Bank of America employees noticed irregular activity on the victim’s account. They called police about possible financial exploitation.
Everett police detectives and the state’s Adult Protective Services launched an investigation. The state Attorney General’s Office filed a petition a month later to appoint a professional guardian to oversee the woman’s finances, including the sale of her Everett house.
The petition alleged that the woman wasn’t able to manage her own affairs because of “confusion, memory loss with dementia and recent financial exploitation.”
Prosecutors alleged that Harris had a gambling habit and stole from her vulnerable neighbor to feed her addiction. Records show that Harris and her husband were frequent visitors to the Tulalip casinos.
The victim “was wronged in a huge way,” Judge Millie Judge said Tuesday. “I’m extremely disappointed this happened, to say the least.”
Harris, who wore a dark purple velour pantsuit, declined to address the court.
The judge was told that the multiple investigations and court hearings have been taxing on her health. She has undergone some mental health treatment. Harris hasn’t sought out any formal treatment for a gambling addiction, her attorney said.
Harris pleaded guilty to first-degree theft in March.
She didn’t admit any wrongdoing, but conceded that a jury likely would find her guilty if the case went to trial.
Defense attorney Elizabeth Mustin said her client believed that her neighbor was loaning her money. She didn’t recognize as well as she should have her friend’s diminished mental capacity, Mustin said.
Judge asked why prosecutors didn’t demand that Harris repay the full $70,000.
Deputy prosecutor Jacqueline Lawrence explained that the victim’s care needs were better met if she received a large lump sum versus small monthly payments. If Harris was ordered to pay back the full amount, the victim likely would only get $50 or $100 a month, Lawrence said.
“She needs a large check as soon as possible,” she added.
The victim’s court-appointed guardian agreed.
The woman was moved to an assisted living home but has since been admitted to Western State Hospital.
She would not have been competent to testify at a trial.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
Report suspicions
If you suspect someone is abusing a vulnerable adult in Snohomish County call the abuse hotline at 866-221-4909.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
