Hearing postponed in exploitation case

SANDPOINT — A preliminary hearing has been postponed for a Bonner County woman accused of draining a stroke victim’s bank account.

“We do have a lot of receipts and further investigation,” said Chief Deputy Public Defender Janet Whitney, who moved for a continuance in the case against Elisa Ann Davidson.

Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Larry Goins did not object and Judge Justin Julian rescheduled the hearing for Jan. 4, 2010. The hearing is held to determine if there is enough evidence to justify trying Davidson on a felony count of exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Davidson, 40, is accused of taking advantage of a 64-year-old Edgemere man from November of last year until March of this year. Davidson allegedly took as much as $4,000 from the man’s bank account while the man was convalescing at a Sandpoint assisted living facility, a sheriff deputy’s report said.

Davidson had power of attorney in order to handle the man’s medical and financial affairs, according to court documents.

She remains free on her own recognizance while the case is pending. If Davidson is convicted in the case, she faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.