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Vet found dead may have been swindled

A woman has been accused of stealing money from the man, who was found dead in a lake on Christmas.

By ALEX LEARY
Published December 28, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - The State Attorney's Office said Tuesday it is investigating claims that a 57-year-old woman befriended and then stole from a mentally ill man who was found dead in a lake Christmas morning.

Helga R. Scott is accused of using Cary Gammon's money to buy and furnish a house in 2004 and to pay bills.

St. Petersburg police arrested Scott on a charge of exploiting the disabled last month after Gammon's legal guardian learned about the situation. That led to the state attorney's inquiry. "We're looking into the relationship," said Bruce Bartlett, the chief assistant in State Attorney Bernie McCabe's office.

Gammon, 56, wandered away from the Patrick Manor assisted living facility on Christmas Eve and was found dead in the nearby lake the next morning.

He had lived at the facility, 896 73rd Ave. N, for a year and a half and suffered from schizophrenia. A Vietnam veteran, Gammon had no known family.

Authorities don't think there is a connection between Gammon's drowning and the fraud case. Investigators said the body showed no sign of trauma.

Gammon purchased a house at 4319 55th Ave. N in June 2004 for $143,500. Most of it was financed through a mortgage. But police say Scott, who had power of attorney over Gammon, was behind the transaction and had lived in the home. It is now up for sale.

Police said they think Scott had access to Gammon's bank accounts and had been transferring funds into her accounts.

Scott could not be reached Tuesday, and her attorney, Josh Sheridan, said he could not comment because it is an open investigation.

Records show that Scott has a previous arrest in Florida on a charge of violating a domestic violence injunction in 1998.

[Last modified December 28, 2005, 00:36:14]