In January, a 69-year-old Black Canyon City man reported fraud involving his stepdaughter, 42-year-old Catherine Moore. The victim is considered a vulnerable adult due to ongoing medical issues occurring in recent years.
Moore and her husband have been living with the victim at his E. Kiva Road home in Black Canyon City. A concerned family member originally called the Sheriff’s Office on behalf of the victim.
In early 2014, the victim allowed Moore to acquire a Durable Power of Attorney (POA) on his behalf along with joint access to his bank account. This was done due to the victim’s debilitating condition which also prevented him from driving. During the period starting in April of 2014 through December of 2016, Moore used her POA status to transfer over $200,000 from the victim’s investment account without his knowledge. The money was placed in the joint checking account where Moore had access. Neither Moore or her husband work and both used the money for day to day living expenses, online purchases, online gaming, furniture including a $2500-bedroom set, and in Phoenix area restaurants. A majority of the purchases provided no direct benefit to the victim.
During the investigation, detectives confirmed the POA specifically noted that any actions by the appointed agent must benefit the principal, not the agent. The also confirmed a transfer of $40,000 by Moore from the victim’s investment account on April 28, 2017. The same day, Moore and her husband purchased a 2016 Chevrolet SUV for just under $40,000 from a Phoenix area car dealer and titled the vehicle in their name.
During a discussion about the vehicle purchase, the victim told detectives he originally instructed Moore to fix his current sedan so they could use it for ongoing transportation. Instead, the couple took his vehicle and returned with the Chevrolet SUV telling the victim they had traded in his sedan as part of the purchase. The victim never authorized the purchase of another vehicle. In December of 2016, the victim said he had enough of Moore’s use of his money, along with the fact she refused to take him anywhere.
He contacted a family member who arrived to find the victim living in deplorable conditions while confirming the theft of his assets.
After confronting Moore and her husband, the couple fled. Detectives eventually located Moore in a Phoenix area apartment where she was arrested on May 2, 2017.
Moore was booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Theft and Unlawful use of Power of Attorney with a primary focus on the vehicle purchase. She remains in-custody on $50,000 bond. Detectives indicate additional charges on Moore and new charges regarding her husband’s involvement are under review. The Chevrolet SUV was seized and held as evidence.