Caretaker Admits To $237K Theft From Morris Co. Woman: DOJ

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A former business manager for a Morristown assisted living facility admitted to stealing $237,000 from an elderly woman, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.

Marcella Drakeford, 46, of Jensen Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to mail fraud for allegedly opening credit cards in the victim's name and using them to pay for personal expenses, Carpenito said.

According to Carpenito, Drakeford was granted limited access to the woman's checking acquiring in December 2016 to help manager her finances. Without telling the woman or the woman's guardian, Drakeford had already gained access to the victim's credit cards and had opened several more in her name. She admitted to using the cards to pay for clothing, jewelry, and automobiles, dental work, rent, and utilities, and then used money from the checking account to pay off the cards.

The assisted living facility was not named in the complaint.

Drakeford faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine or $250,000, or twice the amount of loss caused. She is set to be sentenced on July 22.