Vancouver woman pleads not guilty to stealing $300,000

A Vancouver woman accused of stealing $300,000 from a 90-year-old man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 17 counts of forgery and 15 counts of identity theft.

Becky L. Iverson, 50, also was arraigned on charges of first-degree attempted theft and second-degree attempted theft.

Clark County Superior Court Judge Diane Woolard set trial for Oct. 27.

The charges relate to allegations that Iverson forged checks on the man’s account and withdrew money for more than a year-and-a-half while helping him with his daily errands. She worked at a real estate firm and befriended the man when he and his 94-year-old wife sold their home in 2007.

Iverson had access to the victim’s money because she helped pay his rent at an east Vancouver assisted living center. In return, he paid her $600 a month for helping him with transportation or buying small supplies.

Court papers allege Iverson stole $213,202 by making unauthorized withdrawals from the victim’s account with Bankers Life and Casualty Co. She allegedly stole another $89,559 by forging 104 checks.

The thefts began Feb. 2, 2009, and continued through Aug. 10, according to court documents.

The case surfaced when a bank teller grew suspicious and alerted a supervisor, who called the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, deputies said.

Investigators say the thefts were fueled by Iverson’s alleged methamphetamine addiction.

Tuesday, Woolard denied supervised release of Iverson so she could visit her mother, who just suffered a heart attack. Iverson is being held in the Clark County Jail without bail.

Her court-appointed attorney is George Marlton.