Woman accused of bilking stroke victim

SANDPOINT — A hearing is pending to determine whether a Bonner County woman should stand trial on allegations she raided the bank account of a stroke victim.

Elise Ann Davidson is charged with felony exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Davidson is free on her own recognizance while the case is pending, according to court documents. She made an initial appearance Friday in magistrate court, where Judge William Hamlett appointed a public defender to represent her.

Davidson, 40, took advantage of the 64-year-old Edgemere man between November 2008 and March 2009, according to a criminal complaint filed by Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Larry Goins.

The alleged fraud was discovered last spring, when the man’s daughter was appointed legal guardian, a deputy’s report said. As much as $4,000 was drained from the man’s accounts through purchases and cash withdrawals, the report indicated.

The charge rose to the felony level because the amount of monetary damages exceeds $1,000. If convicted of the offense, she could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $25,000.

The police report said the man suffered a stroke in the fall of 2008 and within days of the event, large ATM withdrawals were made from his bank account. After the withdrawals were made, the man granted her power of attorney in order to handle his medical and financial affairs, the report alleged.

The man was convalescing at a Sandpoint assisted living facility at the time the alleged thefts occurred, the report said.