LANSING (WWJ) – A Kalamazoo man has been sentenced to five months in jail for financial elder abuse and stealing a number of vehicles and other valuables from a woman in her 70s.
Craig Macauley, 40, was also sentenced to three years of probation and to pay fines for taking more than $45,000 of money and property from the woman, who was not identified.
Macauley learned his sentence Wednesday after pleading guilty on Oct. 31, 2022 to three counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult between $1,000 and $20,000.
Under his plea deal, he paid a total of $30,000 in restitution prior to his sentencing. He waived all rights to a number of items he paid for using money he stole from her.
Special agents with Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office seized a 2011 Chevy Silverado, 2017 Kawasaki ATV, 2005 GMC Yukon Denali, a trailer and a 14k yellow gold diamond ring, according to the AG’s office.
Macauley also waived his rights to the victim’s home after it was determined he had asked her to place his name on the deed.
Authorities say between 2018 and 2019 he took more than $45,000 of money and property from the 77-year-old woman, who “suffered from multiple medical conditions, making her a vulnerable adult.”
The woman was “dependent on others to help her with tasks around her home, drive her to appointments, and manage her finances and medications,” according to Nessel’s office.
Macauley used the victim's money to purchase multiple items, maxed out the victim’s credit cards, and caused her bank account to become overdrawn, officials said.
The case was referred to the AG’s Financial Crimes Division by the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office because it was a multi-county investigation.
“This case illustrates the importance of the Financial Crimes Division of my office in securing restitution for elderly victims and ensuring that those who misuse their authority are held accountable,” Nessel said, per a press release. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who victimizes our state’s seniors and will pursue similar outcomes in every instance of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.”
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