Crime & Safety

Bond Set for Caretaker Charged with Financial Exploitation of the Elderly

Villa Park man allegedly helped himself to bank accounts belonging to an 89-year-old woman.

Bond has been set for a Villa Park man charged with stealing more than $45,000 from an elderly woman for whom he provided in-house care, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

William Sullivan, 59, 510 N. Ardmore Drive, Villa Park, turned himself in on a $150,000 arrest warrant last week. 

It is alleged that in 2006, Sullivan became the caretaker of an 89-year-old woman and obtained access to her checking and savings accounts. From June 2011 to October 2012, Sullivan allegedly wrote himself checks from the victim's checking account and withdrew money from her savings account for his own use without permission. In all, Sullivan allegedly stole more than $45,000 from the woman's accounts.

According to the State's Attorney's Office, Sullivan's alleged actions were discovered when the woman's nephew, who had power of attorney over her affairs, reviewed her bank accounts and discovered discrepancies.

Sullivan has been charged with one count of financial exploitation of a person over 80, a Class 1 felony, and one count of theft over $10,000, a Class 2 felony.

Judge Alex McGimpsey upheld the $150,000 bond when Sullivan appeared in court April 17. He is in custody in DuPage County Jail and scheduled for a May 20 court date.

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