|
76-year-old sues his stepdaughter over missing $150,000
Posted on: 2005-10-19 07:42:59 76-year-old sues his stepdaughter over missing $150,000 A Williamsburg man alleges his stepdaughter emptied his bank accounts and headed to Las Vegas. BY MONIQUE ANGLE October 19, 2005 WILLIAMSBURG -- A 76-year-old Williamsburg man has filed a federal lawsuit against his adult stepdaughter, claiming the Georgia woman emptied nearly $150,000 out of his bank accounts. John A. Golden, Jr. said he noticed his five retirement accounts were empty in July. According to the lawsuit, he learned that his stepdaughter Denita Georgia "Cookie" Manley, a co-holder on the account, cashed out every penny. Golden said he added her to the accounts just as a precaution, in case he became too old or sick to care for himself. In the lawsuit filed, in mid-September, Golden is seeking $199,527 from Manley to cover the lost funds and for mental anguish. He's also asking the judge to award him $350,000 in punitive damages. Several efforts to reach Manley by phone, through neighbors and by certified mail were unsuccessful, Golden said. The widower said he was devastated when he learned the money was missing. "Can you imagine somebody doing this?" he said. "To just wipe you out like that?" Golden's attorney, Avery Waterman Jr., said the money was withdrawn from a bank in Georgia. An official from the Dekalb County District Attorney's office said he is investigating the case but no charges have been brought against Manley, who lives in Lithonia, Ga. Golden's story began in March when Jean, his wife of 40 years, passed away. Manley, 46, came to Williamsburg to bury her mother and visit with her stepfather, according to the lawsuit. About eight days after Golden's wife died, he decided to add Manley to his bank accounts. Manley was 6 when her mother married Golden, and they had had a good relationship, Golden said. He had poor eyesight, and his stepdaughter helped him with his reading. He trusted that she'd only use the money in the event that he could not care for himself, Waterman said. On July 5, Golden, who still checked his bank accounts, discovered the money was gone. He said he called and wrote Manley, who had returned home, but she didn't return his calls or letters. Eventually, her phone was disconnected. That's when Golden called the Dekalb County police and decided to go to court. In his lawsuit, Golden claims his stepdaughter went to Las Vegas with $8,000 from his retirement accounts, which included about $65,000 in insurance money from his wife's death. Tony Hylton, a spokesman for AARP Virginia, said the association's Web site, www.aarp.org, offers links to legal services and financial advice for seniors who want to protect their retirement assets. In the meantime, Golden continues to hold out hope that he'll be able to recover his savings. Most of what he set aside for his retirement is now gone. Homepage For personal help planning for your retirement http://www.retirement-plan.us For web information about planning your retirement. http://www.retirement-retirement.com/category-20.php |