ROGERSVILLE — A woman accused of gambling away the life savings of an elderly Rogersville man she was caring for pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count of theft over $60,000 in exchange for an eight-year sentence.
According to the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office, Charlotte Ann Hayes, 52, formerly of Rogersville, had been given power of attorney for Billy Davis of Rogersville while she was serving as Davis’ caretaker.
Hayes was the ex-wife of one of Davis’ friends. The friend had worked for Davis as a handyman, and in recent years the friend had started helping Davis in his household.
The HCSO received a tip from one of Davis’ family members in August of 2009 that Hayes was spending Davis’ life savings for her own use and not for the welfare and betterment of Davis.
The amount was estimated by detectives in 2010 in excess of $100,000.
The family member provided the HCSO with documents and bank records which supported claims that Hayes was removing Davis’ money without his consent.
Upon being questioned, Hayes admitted to taking funds from Davis to spend on a gambling habit, credit card bills, and assisting her family members with their bills. Hayes reportedly admitted to gambling with Davis’ money at the casino in Cherokee, N.C.
The thefts were alleged to have occurred between January 2009 and November 2009.
Davis had supposedly written a note stating Hayes could borrow the money. Investigators said Davis was unable to comprehend what was being done due to a medical condition.
The law states a person with power of attorney has the obligation to care for the person he or she has power of attorney over, and money spent must go toward that person’s betterment.
On Dec. 13, Hayes pleaded guilty to one count of theft over $60,000 in exchange for an eight-year sentence.
She must serve 150 days in jail, seven years and seven months on probation, and pay the Davis estate $70,000 in restitution.