A daughter embezzled thousands of pounds from her dementia sufferer dad after being given control of his financial affairs.
Catriona Anne Fitzsimons, 61, admitted stealing more than £13,000 from her dad Neil MacKinnon over a 17-month period.
Shortly after his wife passed away, MacKinnon displayed signs of dementia and Fitzsimons was granted power of attorney in order to look after him. We understand she sold her father’s flat in Glasgow and moved with him to Carloway on the Isle of Lewis.
When his condition deteriorated he was moved to a care home in Stornoway, but it was only after the fees went unpaid that his daughter’s fraud finally came to light.
Former nurse Fitzsimons, who runs an online jewellery making business, pled guilty at Stornoway Sheriff Court to embezzling £13,212.16 between December 2017 and April 2019.
The man, who was in his eighties, has since passed away.
A source said: “Fitzsimons lived on the same top floor landing in Glasgow as her late father but when he started displaying signs of dementia she convinced him to create a power of attorney shortly after his wife passed away in order to look after him.
“Not long after Fitzsimons had the power of attorney enacted, she took control of his finances and arranged for her dad to move with her to Carloway, Isle of Lewis.
“Her embezzlement came to light when the care home did not receive their fees.
“Mr MacKinnon had significant savings boosted by the sale of the flat as well as good pension income, however this appears to have been appropriated away.
“It is believed that Fitzsimons spent the majority of the funds on internet purchases for herself.”
A power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person, known as the attorney, the authority to deal with aspects of your affairs which can include financial, property matters and/or personal welfare. They must act in your best interests.
Fitzsimons will be sentenced later this month.
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