PAW PAW, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A Van Buren County woman has been charged with embezzling approximately $50,000 from her aunt.
66-year-old Barbara Cavner of Lawton was arraigned Wednesday in 7th District Court in Paw Paw and charged with one count of Embezzlement from a Vulnerable Adult-$20,000 or more but less than $50,000, a felony punishable by up to 10 years’ incarceration and/or a fine of $15,000 or three times the value of the money or property involved, whichever is greater.
According to Michigan Attorney General’s Office, in March 2021 Cavner’s aunt was admitted to an assisted care facility in Lawton, where she remained until August 2023 before transferring to another facility in Lawton with Cavner acting as her aunt’s attorney-in-fact, or durable power of attorney.
Between March 2021 and October 2024 Cavner allegedly used large sums of her aunt’s money for her own needs. It is alleged that Cavner withdrew cash, made point-of-sale purchases, and wrote checks to herself.
Cavner is scheduled to appear for a Probable Cause Conference on February 12, 2025, and a Preliminary Examination on February 18, 2025. She was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Comments