Raleigh, N.C. — A caregiver for a member of a Raleigh family with deep political and civic connections to the capital city was charged Thursday with stealing more than $70,000.
According to arrest warrants, Shannon Adrienne Poole, 39, of 307 Heck St., allegedly cashed numerous checks made out to Mary Ann Broughton, who is the 84-year-old daughter-in-law of former North Carolina governor and U.S. Sen. Joseph Melville Broughton.
Poole also purchased a $600 laptop from Costco with the victim's American Express card, the warrants stated.
The family had no comment Thursday about the case.
The charges, three counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, are in addition to 12 counts of forgery and one count of larceny filed against Poole on July 30.
She was in the Wake County Jail on Thursday morning under a $75,000 bond.
Raleigh police say crimes like this happen all too often and that perpetrators often gain the trust and confidence of their victims.
"This isn't the first time it's happened, and unfortunately, it's not the last," police spokesman Jim Sughrue said.
Sughrue recommends doing background checks and checking references on potential caregivers and continuing to monitor them and to know what kind of access they have to personal information and finances.
Joseph Melville Broughton was North Carolina's governor from 1941 to 1945 and was a U.S. senator from 1948 until his death in 1949. Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh is named for his uncle.
Caregiver accused of stealing from Raleigh family
- Reporter: Amanda Lamb
- Web Editor: Kelly Gardner
Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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August 15, 2008 5:56 p.m.
But on the other hand, what kind of computer is only worth $600 brand new, particularly with someone else's money? Wouldn't a real thief have bought a much more expensive computer if she thought she'd never have to repay? I can't help but sense a little frugality here, which seems out of place. It will be interesting to hear her side of the story at some point.
August 14, 2008 6:21 p.m.
August 14, 2008 6:10 p.m.
asbrown...I really do not think that anyone here has a problem with our government taking some of our tax money and setting it aside to provide assistance to anyone. It's the fraud that is rampant in the system from public housing to health care to foodstamps that is unchecked and unpunished that most folks have a problem with!!!! Assistance is temporary NOT perminent!!!
August 14, 2008 5:40 p.m.
August 14, 2008 5:27 p.m.