Man stole $332,000 from Alzheimer’s-afflicted mother, court hears

For nearly four years, John Jerome O’Hara took charge of his mother’s care at a Kentucky nursing home as Alzheimer’s disease robbed her of independence.

O’Hara gained power of attorney over her affairs in June 2014 and was expected to manage thousands of dollars in income a month — and, perhaps most importantly, direct most of it for living expenses at Wesley Manor community living in Louisville.

And for nearly four years, he robbed her of more than $332,000, according to a grand jury indictment released Friday that totalled 18 counts — 10 of bank fraud, four of wire fraud and four of “access device fraud.”

The charges carry a maximum of several lifetimes in prison, the indictment said. Each bank fraud count alone carries a maximum of 30 years in prison. There is also the potential for hefty fines and restitution of the allegedly stolen money.

O’Hara allegedly used a steady stream of his unidentified mother’s income from Social Security and other investments “to pay for personal expenses, including cellphone plans, credit card payments, youth soccer fees, and entertainment,” the indictment said.

He did so in part by writing cheques to himself, others written out to cash, and some signed “POA” for power of attorney. He also withdrew money from her bank accounts to use for his expenses, the indictment says.

O’Hara’s alleged theft left a trail of financial distress. He did not pay all his mother’s living expenses, the indictment said, forcing family members to pay more than $100,000 to keep her cared for at the nursing home.