A 63-year-old Hepworth man has been charged with several offences after an investigation was conducted by the Owen Sound Police Service Criminal Investigations Branch. The allegations involve the diversion of social assistance income from a family members bank account.

Bank records and witness statements confirmed that the accused, who was designated as Power of Attorney for his brother, was in fact stealing money that was intended to be used to pay for his brother’s rent at an Owen Sound care facility.

The investigation determined that the theft of funds, totalling nearly $40,000, had been occurring undetected over a four- year period dating back to mid- 2016.

The accused has been arrested and charged with the following criminal offences;

1) Breach of Trust
2) Theft by Power of Attorney
3) Theft over $5,000

The accused is to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in August to answer to the charges.

source: media release, OSPS