In a bold, multi-year scam, a Minnesota man deceived his neighbor with dementia into adopting him, then embezzled more than $1 million.#Minnesota #LakevilleMN #News #Crime
Lakeville, MinnesotaA Minnesota man has been federally charged in a startling case of financial exploitation for allegedly defrauding an elderly neighbor with dementia of more than $1 million. Joseph Robinson, 44, is charged with defrauding an 83-year-old man he persuaded to adopt him of large sums of money through lies and manipulation. Over the course of several years, the plan developed, leaving the victim in financial ruin.
The Manipulation of an Elderly Victim
After Joseph Robinson was hired to do home repairs in 2018, the victim and Robinson reconnected. Robinson had been the victim’s neighbor when he was a child.
The 83-year-old guy was living on his own in Minneapolis at the time and had been diagnosed with mild neurocognitive dysfunction. The victim and Robinson grew closer as Robinson performed a $43,000 ceiling repair for the victim.
Robinson assumed responsibility for the victim’s care throughout the ensuing years, attending doctor’s appointments and overseeing many facets of his life. By 2021, Robinson had persuaded the man to adopt him, so establishing their formal bond.
A Pattern of Fraudulent Activities
Robinson is accused of taking advantage of the old man’s declining mental health between 2018 and 2024 for his own benefit.
Robinson persuaded his victim to make big payments for home improvement projects, which resulted in checks totaling $554,000. Robinson used these monies for personal expenses, making them his main source of income.
Furthermore, Robinson accessed and redirected even more assets using the power of attorney that the victim gave him in 2020.
Robinson convinced the elderly man to contribute $75,000 toward the purchase of a townhouse, even though the victim explicitly said that he could not give gifts to himself. Robinson then withdrew $138,000 from what he claimed was his inheritance.
Obstruction and Legal Consequences
Robinson allegedly forced the victim to transfer ownership of his expensive cars and drained his retirement savings as his dementia grew worse in 2023, robbing him of more than $132,000.
Robinson resisted Hennepin County Adult Protective Services’ attempts to look into the claims, doing his best to keep the victim from complying. An emergency guardianship was filed by October 2023, blocking the victim’s assets to prevent any more transfers.
Authorities were able to link the fraudulent actions to Robinson, who is charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering despite his efforts to hide the crime by trying to sell the victim’s automobiles and sell his house.
Robinson, who has not been arrested, will go on trial for his alleged involvement in the $1,073,000 scam that defrauded the elderly victim between 2018 and 2024.
CONNECTED TOPICS: Minnesota Crime
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