Fulton man accused of forging checks, exploiting elderly

A Fulton man was charged on Monday, accused of taking advantage of an elderly person with disabilities.

According to an officer in a probably cause statement, the investigation began in December 2014 when a Fulton Nursing and Rehab Center resident and staff reported that several of the resident’s checks had been either stolen or forged.

Bank statements showed that 15 checks had been stolen or forged between May and November 2014.

The checks were written to Bill Howser and totaled $5,885.

The officer said Howser was interviewed and “advised that he had used (the resident’s) checkbook to buy food, beer, cigarettes and cloth(es) for (the resident).”

When asked why he wrote the checks to himself, Howser allegedly told the officer the checks were written to him.

The officer then contacted the facility, where the administrator said the resident had not received any new clothes and her clothes were worn out.

Howser is now charged with financial exploitation of an elderly/disabled person.

A warrant was issued on Monday for Howser’s arrest.