Unity woman stole $200,000 from relative in a personal care home

Bob Stiles

Jun. 30, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- A Unity woman is accused of stealing more than $200,000 from a relative living in a personal care home.

Monica Lee Yasher, 47, of 101 Lemmon Road, faces a preliminary hearing July 23 before Greensburg District Judge James Albert on a theft charge.

State police at Greensburg allege the crimes occurred from about early August 2005 to September, while Yasher had power of attorney for her 83-year-old relative.

"Over the aforementioned time period, the defendant had depleted the victim's funds in excess of $200,000 without the victim's knowledge or approval," said the probable cause affidavit written by Trooper Patrick Ciriello.

On Nov. 3, 2005, the relative was placed in the Barnes House Personal Care Home in Latrobe, police said. Yasher was responsible for paying bills at the facility and other expenses, police said.

Authorities said the woman became suspicious about her finances in June 2008 when she was told she didn't have enough money for a haircut. Police indicate in court papers that Yasher took all of the woman's assets.

The Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging did an audit of the woman's finances.

"(The auditor) discovered an overwhelming amount of financial deposits and withdrawal discrepancies from various accounts involving checking and savings, stocks and bonds, social security and various life insurance annuities," the affidavit said.

On Sept, 18, 2008, the agency received power of attorney for the relative, the affidavit said. Agency officials reported the alleged crimes to state police.

Yasher's attorney, J. Allen Roth, said Monday that the charges stemmed from a misunderstanding.

"We are working with this family miscommunication, which is what it was, and hopefully we will close this situation in the very near future," Roth said. "It will be resolved to everyone's satisfaction."

Attempts to speak with Ciriello were unsuccessful.

Yasher was released on $25,000 unsecured bond after she was arraigned last week, according to court records.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0312-36118222