Woman allegedly scams elderly man
Sharon Woods Harris
October 31, 2009
Pekin Daily Times
http://www.pekintimes.com/news/x665159777/Woman-allegedly-scams-elderly-man
PEKIN, Ill. - A South Pekin woman was arrested Friday for allegedly bilking an elderly man out of cars, loans and his pension money.

Gina Y. Robinson, 38, of 1412 Eighth St., South Pekin, was arrested for financial exploitation of the elderly, forgery and altering titles, according to Pekin Police Public Information Officer Mike Sanders.

In August the son of an 83-year-old Pekin man called police saying he feared his elderly father had been the victim of forgery by the father’s power of attorney, Robinson. The power of attorney was revoked in September and the son appointed to the position. The victim owned several properties in Pekin and one of the properties had been foreclosed on in May. The elderly man had been renting the house to Robinson, said Sanders.

The son noticed that his father never seemed to have any money and that Robinson, who had convinced the victim in March to make her his power of attorney, was always writing checks on his father’s account. The son also learned that two antique vehicles owned by his father had been sold on eBay — a 1936 Ford Tudor and a 1976 Mercury Marquis, said Sanders.

The elderly man told his son that he had not signed any title or agreed to any sale of the vehicles.

The son learned that Robinson had placed the vehicles up for sale on eBay, said Sanders.

An investigation revealed that Robinson allegedly cashed two of the victim’s pension checks and sold another vehicle belonging to the victim after her power of attorney was revoked. The vehicle was found in Peoria and the title had allegedly been forged by Robinson. The victim said he had not given her permission to sign those checks or sell the third vehicle, said Sanders.

During the investigation, police learned that Robinson had also convinced the victim to make her his beneficiary at the time of his death. The victim told police he had been coerced by Robinson to take out loans on the homes he owned to help Robinson open a business, Gina’s Coffee House, which never opened, said Sanders.

Robinson was taken to the Tazewell County Justice Center where she awaits a bond hearing Sunday. The Tazewell County state’s attorney prepares charges.