A Vancouver woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to forging the checks of a 90-year-old man to support her several-hundred-dollar-a-week drug addiction.
Prosecutors recommended Becky L. Iverson, 50, serve four years in prison as part of an agreement in which Iverson pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree theft, five counts of forgery and five counts of second-degree identity theft.
Clark County Superior Court Judge Robert Lewis will decide Iverson’s sentence during a hearing at 9 a.m. Dec. 17. At the hearing, the judge will also decide Iverson’s suitability for a prison-based drug treatment program, according to her attorney, George Marlton.
Iverson, standing beside Marlton, entered the plea agreement during an afternoon hearing. First-degree theft is a Class B felony. The forgery and identity theft charges are Class C felonies.
Iverson’s relationship with the victim began while she worked at a real estate firm and befriended the man and his 94-year-old wife when the couple sold their home in 2007.
The case surfaced when a bank teller grew suspicious of Iverson and alerted a supervisor, who called the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. According to court papers, Iverson stole $213,202 by making unauthorized withdrawals from the victim’s account with Bankers Life and Casualty Co. She stole another $89,559 by forging 104 checks.
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.
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.
The thefts began Feb. 2, 2009, and continued through Aug. 10 of this year, according to court documents.
If the judge adopts the plea agreement, Iverson will serve 12 months in community custody following the completion of her prison term.
Iverson initially pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of forgery and 15 counts of identity theft. She was arrested in August.
Investigators have said Iverson told them the thefts were fueled by her methamphetamine addiction. She told detectives she was using the drug daily and would buy $200 worth as often as three times a week.
Bob Albrecht: 360-735-4522 or bob.albrecht@columbian.com.
