An Eau Claire woman must perform 120 hours of community service and pay $4,356 in restitution for her role in misusing a checking account and credit card owned by a disabled woman in her care.
Susan J. Grambo, 27, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Eau Claire County Court to a felony count of forgery.
As part of a two-year deferred agreement with prosecutors, the charge will be dismissed if she completes the community service, pays the restitution and commits no new crimes.
“None of this was ever malicious. It was ignorance, and I’m sorry for doing it,” Grambo said during her plea hearing.
“I know I have done wrong. I will never put myself into a situation like this again,” she said.
Grambo’s co-defendant, Nicole M. Brunzlick, 33, previously was ordered to perform 240 hours of community service and pay $2,000 in restitution for a misdemeanor count of theft.
According to the criminal complaint:
The brother of the disabled woman, who had medical power of attorney over her health care, called police in June with concerns about his sister’s finances.
Brunzlick was paid $100 a month to take care of the woman’s bills. The brother said his sister’s checks were signed with a rubber stamp because his sister was a quadriplegic.
The brother discovered Brunzlick and Grambo had written out checks to themselves and businesses that were not associated with his sister.
Several unauthorized charges also were made against the disabled woman’s bank accounts, and her accounts were subsequently frozen because of the suspected fraud.
A review of the woman’s credit card statement showed charges were made at several businesses while she was either hospitalized or in a rehabilitation center.
Grambo told police the check and credit card activity occurred because she was desperate. She said she didn’t have permission to use the woman’s credit card to buy goods and services.
Grambo said she and Brunzlick intended to put money back into the woman’s bank account and pay for all the items they bought.
Brunzlick also admitted to writing out at least one check and making credit card purchases that were not for the disabled woman.
