Grandmother Steals $50K Inheritance

When Betty Coleman’s ex-husband died, her 14-year-old granddaughter inherited $50,000.  In order to become her granddaughter’s guardian and access her money, Coleman lied about her criminal past.  Within five months, Coleman spent all the money on alcohol, cigarettes, wigs, back rent, among other frivolities.  Meanwhile, Coleman’s granddaughter was living with a relative and sleeping on an air mattress.

Coleman’s misdeeds were discovered in probate court in 2013 and her granddaughter won a default judgment for $150,000 on claims of theft, conversion, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty.  But just last month, prosecutors charged Coleman with embezzlement and contempt of court.  She is currently working on a plea deal. 

See Bruce Vielmetti, Grandmother Accused of Wiping Out Girl’s $50,000 Inheritance, Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, Apr. 22, 2015.