MACOMB COUNTY, MI— An Ontonagon County man has pleaded guilty to embezzling from an 86-year-old woman.
On Monday, Richard Filbey, 62, of Ontonagon pleaded to one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult—$100,000 or more and one count of tax fraud.
Filbey began acting as power of attorney for the woman in 2018. He’s accused of causing her to surrender two of her annuities – one for $253,194.83 and one for $27,696.70 – and used the funds for his own enrichment.
Filbey also sold property the victim owned in Lapeer and used the proceeds for himself. None of the funds were reported on his Michigan tax returns.
As part of the plea, Filbey agreed to more than $280,000 in restitution. Prior to his plea, Filbey transferred three parcels of property to the victim’s estate. The sale of those properties and distribution of the proceeds will now be overseen by the probate court to go towards restitution.
Sentencing will take place on October 30 in Macomb County.
