A Minnesota man is facing federal charges for allegedly defrauding his elderly neighbor, who had dementia, out of more than $1 million.
Minnesota man got elderly neighbor to adopt him
According to the indictment, Joseph Robinson, 44, used a series of manipulative tactics, including convincing the neighbor to adopt him and transfer assets into his control.
Robinson appeared in federal court in Minneapolis on December 19, where he denied the charges of felony wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering.
The legal documents detail transactions involving Edward S., an 83-year-old retired accountant and widower, who reportedly had no close local family other than a sibling living in Oregon.
Investigators stated that the total amount taken from Edward exceeded $1 million, though officials from the Hennepin County Adult Protection Agency suspect Robinson might have stolen additional funds.
The two had known each other since Robinson’s childhood when their families lived as neighbors.
Their reconnection happened in 2018 when Robinson offered to assist Edward S. with home repairs.
By 2021, Edward had been diagnosed with a mild cognitive impairment, and later that year, he legally adopted Robinson, referring to him as his son in court.
Over time, Edward’s condition worsened, and in 2023, he was diagnosed with full dementia.
Minnesota man allegedly defrauded dementia patient
Investigators allege Robinson exploited Edward’s deteriorating mental state for financial gain.
Court documents say Robinson persuaded Edward to name him as attorney-in-fact and later convinced him to write a $138,000 check after Edward’s mother passed away, leaving her children inheritance funds.
Although Robinson was only described as a “minor beneficiary” in Edward’s mother’s will, he reportedly spent the money on personal expenses.
The indictment further describes how Robinson pressured Edward S. to part with valuable assets.
Allegedly, after claiming the older man was unfit to maintain his collection of European cars, Robinson orchestrated the title transfer of the vehicles to himself before reselling them.
He also reportedly took ownership of the elderly man’s renovated home and opened a joint checking account under both their names.
Through this arrangement, Robinson is accused of mismanaging Edward’s retirement savings for his own benefit.
Authorities were alerted in January 2023, prompting an investigation by the Hennepin County Adult Protection Services. Robinson allegedly urged Edward S. to stop cooperating with investigators.
Later that year, in October, legal motions were filed, removing Robinson’s guardianship over Edward S. and freezing his remaining assets.
Officials estimate Robinson’s total theft amounted to over $1 million, with Adult Protection Services suggesting the losses could be as high as $2.2 million.
Correctional worker accused of defrauding convicted murderer
Meanwhile, in an unrelated case from Pennsylvania, a state hospital employee was accused of stealing over $130,000 from a convicted murderer serving a life sentence.
Bridget Nicole Compton was arrested and taken into custody last week and faces multiple charges, including identity theft and forgery.
Authorities allege she exploited her access to Trinh T. Nguyen, a patient at Norristown State Hospital, where Compton was employed.
Nguyen is serving consecutive life sentences for fatally shooting her two sons while they were asleep.
Investigators assert that between July and August 2024, Compton diverted five checks from Nguyen’s account, totaling $132,480.01.
Based on information from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, Compton allegedly altered addresses associated with Nguyen’s account to reroute the checks to her mother’s address.
She allegedly cashed the funds using a Philadelphia-based check-cashing service without receiving Nguyen’s permission.
A news release revealed that the theft was reported in November 2024 by an unnamed third party.
During their investigation, police say Compton admitted to impersonating Nguyen in phone calls to a financial institution to authorize the transactions and confessed to misappropriating the funds.
She reportedly spent a large portion of the money on a family vacation to Puerto Rico and gave $10,000 to her mother. Compton allegedly told police, “I got the money in July and was broke by Christmas. That’s how quick it went.”
After being arrested, Compton was released from detention on a $100,000 unsecured bond.
Nguyen, who last year pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for the deaths of her children, will remain in state custody without the possibility of parole.
