Former caregiver pleads guilty to theft

A Vancouver woman admitted to stealing $63,000 from an 85-year-old man for whom she worked as a caregiver.

Patti Jo McGregor, 59, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft Wednesday before Clark County Superior Court Judge Robert Lewis. McGregor tricked the victim, Harold Thompson, into signing off on the purchase of a $63,000 annuity in McGregor’s name in February 2010, according to court documents.

The standard sentencing range for the crime is four to 12 months, Lewis said. McGregor’s sentencing, however, was set over to March 30. Her attorney, Diane Grecco, said there were still questions about restitution.

Thompson had expected to receive payment on the annuity, and when he didn’t, he told his sister, Erma Winteroth, about his concerns, according to court documents.

“Erma realized that Harold had no idea what he signed and discovered that the annuity was in the name of Patti McGregor,” Deputy Prosecutor Scott Ikata wrote.

Winteroth confronted McGregor and told her to return the money, according to court documents.

McGregor agreed to cash the annuity and return the money, Ikata wrote. After cashing the annuity, however, she left Thompson’s home in his vehicle, the documents say. Her whereabouts were unknown until Clark County sheriff’s deputies arrested her in January. She’s been housed in the Clark County Jail since then, in lieu of $75,000 bail.

McGregor had lived in Thompson’s home for about nine years and was his caregiver, court documents say.