Man convicted of stealing more than $1.3 from elderly Cherokee County mother

On By Pranco

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Thomas Glenn North (Office of the District Attorney of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit)

WOODSTOCK, Ga. – A man will spend 10 years in prison after police say he stole more than $1.3 million from his elderly mother’s bank account.

At a hearing in September, 64-year-old Thomas Glenn North III pleaded guilty to 37 charges, including one count of neglect of a disabled adult or elderly person; 1 case of exploitation and intimidation of a disabled, adult or elderly person; and 35 counts of theft by taking.

Officials say they began their investigation into North after a family member discovered the victim’s residential facility was evicting her for failing to pay her rent.

According to evidence provided by prosecutors at the hearing, North had power of attorney for his mother and withdrew $1.35 million from her bank account and trust fund over three years.

“At a vulnerable time in her life, the victim in this case entrusted her son as power of attorney, expecting him to safeguard her finances and well-being,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Rachel Hines. Special Victims Unit, Office of the District Attorney. “Instead, he brazenly took money from a family trust, stole the proceeds from the sale of her home and completely drained her savings, forcing her to rely on the support of other family members.”

During the hearing, North’s sister told the court how the betrayal had deeply affected her mother’s physical and emotional support.

“Elder abuse takes many forms, including theft. Unfortunately, this is often a crime involving family members,” said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. “What is especially shocking about this case is that this defendant regularly brazenly withdrew thousands of dollars until his mother was left penniless and no longer able to support herself. A lifetime of savings was wiped out in three years.”

Following the guilty plea, a Superior Court judge sentenced North to 40 years, with the first ten in custody and the remainder on probation. North will also have to pay back the money he received at the rate of $50,000 per year.

North is also prohibited from having any contact with his mother or other members of her family.