Feds: Morris County Assisted Living Manager Who Stole $237K From Elderly Patient Sentenced

The business manager of a Morris County assisted living facility who admit to stealing $237,000 from an elderly patient and used it to buy fine clothing, jewelry, cars and more was sentenced to prison Tuesday, authorities said.

Marcella Drakeford, a former director of a Morris County assisted living facility, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, authorities said.
Photo Credit: *Etan J. Tal (wikipeda)*

Cecilia Levine

10/08/2019 4:51 p.m.

Marcella Drakeford, 46, most recently of Fort Pierce, Fla., was sentenced to 27 months in prison, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.

Drakeford -- formerly of Hackensack and Englewood -- got limited access to the victim’s checking account after agreeing in December 2016 to manage her financial affairs and pay for her care, the U.S. attorney said.

What neither the victim nor her guardian knew was that Drakeford already had access to the victim’s credit card account and had several cards issued in her name, Carpenito said.

She used the credit cards for her own personal use, paying her rent, utilities and bills for dental work, Carpetino said.

Drakeford pleaded guilty to count one of an indictment charging her with mail fraud before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden.

In addition to the prison term, Hayden sentenced Drakeford to three years of supervised release and ordered her to pay restitution of $237,258, Carpetino said.

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