DAYTONA BERACH, Fla. -- Steven Braddock, 49, a former sergeant with the Port Orange Police Department, and his wife Mary Braddock, 50, have been arrested by agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for exploitation of an elderly person and forgery.
The investigation began in November 2018, when the Port Orange Police Department asked FDLE to investigate allegations of forgery and fraud against an elderly woman over whom the Braddocks had assumed power of attorney.
"Investigators found the power of attorney document giving the Braddocks control over the woman was fraudulent," FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plesinger said. "With the fraudulent document, the couple profited off the sale of her home and received money from renting another property owned by the woman. The couple also withdrew nearly $10,000 from the woman’s bank account and charged more than $12,000 to her credit card."
In total, the Braddocks, who live in New Smyrna Beach, stole more than $300,000 from the woman, according to FDLE. On Dec. 31, 2018, the woman was evicted from the assisted living facility where she lived for failure to pay.
The investigation began in November 2018, when the Port Orange Police Department asked FDLE to investigate allegations of forgery and fraud against an elderly woman over whom the Braddocks had assumed power of attorney. "Investigators found the power of attorney document giving the Braddocks control over the woman was fraudulent," FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plesinger said.
"With the fraudulent document, the couple profited off the sale of her home and received money from renting another property owned by the woman. The couple also withdrew nearly $10,000 from the woman’s bank account and charged more than $12,000 to her credit card."
In total, the Braddocks, who live in New Smyrna Beach, stole more than $300,000 from the woman, according to FDLE. On Dec. 31, 2018, the woman was evicted from the assisted living facility where she lived for failure to pay.
Steven Braddock turned himself in Wednesday night to the Volusia County Jail, while Mary Braddock turned herself in earlier today.
The Office of the State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit, will prosecute this case, Plesinger said.
Braddock resigned from the Port Orange police force on Dec. 28, 2018, amid a criminal investigation that was turned over to FDLE and resulting in his arrest.