Man convicted of stealing $1.35 million from his own mother

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. (Gray News) – A Georgia man will spend 10 years in prison after stealing $1.35 million from his mother.

Thomas Glenn North III, 64, pleaded guilty to 37 charges in a case “involving the neglect, exploitation and theft” of his elderly mother.

Thomas Glenn North III was sentenced to 40 years after stealing $1.35 million from his mother.(Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office)

North was sentenced to 40 years, with the first ten years in prison and the remainder suspended.

Woodstock police began investigating North after a family member discovered the victim’s bank account had been emptied and her assisted living facility was evicting her due to too much unpaid rent.

North obtained 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.”

North must also pay the entire $1.35 million he stole, at a rate of $50,000 per year. He is also not allowed to contact his mother or any member of her family.

“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 destitute and no longer able to support herself. A lifetime of savings has been wiped out in three years.”