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Man accused of exploiting stepdad

Investigators say he took more than $100,000 from the account of his stepfather, who died in 2002.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
Published September 22, 2005

PALM HARBOR - Three years after his stepfather's death, a Palm Harbor man has been arrested for swindling him out of more than $100,000.

William Stevenson, 62, of 1489 Weatherington Way was arrested on one charge of exploitation of the elderly. He was released after posting $25,000 bail Tuesday.

The arrest came after a State Attorney's Office investigation.

The alleged victim, Henry Ide, suffered from dementia and Parkinson's disease, according to an affidavit signed by an investigator for the State Attorney's Office. In February 1996, Ide, then 77 years old, gave power of attorney to his late wife's children, William Stevenson and Robin Stevenson.

After Ide's death in 2002, his nephew, Donald Ide, sued William and Robin Stevenson, saying that the Stevensons personally benefitted from Henry Ide's assets.

Donald Ide brought a civil suit against the Stevensons, and alerted the State Attorney's Office in 2003, said Assistant State Attorney Evan Brodsky. Investigators looked at allegations that the power of attorney was forged, but didn't find sufficient evidence, Brodsky said.

Henry Ide lived in an assisted living facility from May 2000 until his death in February 2002. State investigators began to focus attention on activity in Henry Ide's bank account from November 2000 through February 2002, a time when he was deemed incompetent, said Brodsky.

During that time, Henry Ide received an inheritance in the form of two checks that totaled about $108,600. Those checks were endorsed by William Stevenson.

According to the affidavit, between Nov. 8, 2000, and Feb. 6, 2002, Stevenson withdrew more than $100,000 from Henry Ide's account.

After reviewing a transcript of a deposition taken from Stevenson in the civil suit, investigators learned that Stevenson admitted to depositing both checks. Stevenson said he either didn't remember or didn't know what he did with the cash he withdrew from the account. Stevenson said he was aware that Henry Ide suffered from dementia.

In the deposition, Stevenson said there was no basis for Ide's lawsuit.

"This complaint is brought by Don Ide, someone who was never available to give care, comfort or necessary help to Henry and Marion Ide during approximately 10 years of failing health," Stevenson wrote. "He would visit one to two times a year and now he comes looking for money. What a surprise."

Although Robin Stevenson is also named as a defendant in the civil suit, Brodsky said the State Attorney's criminal investigation found no evidence she used her power of attorney fraudulently.

[Last modified September 22, 2005, 01:03:19]