Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - One half of a Rochester couple accused of stealing from a vulnerable elderly man has been ordered to pay nearly $80,000 in restitution.

36-year-old Colleen Siverling, who was previously known as Colleen Siverling-Keigher, along with her former husband, were charged two years ago with felony counts of aiding and abetting financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. According to the criminal complaint, it was alleged that the couple wrote checks to themselves for a total of more than $125,000 after taking over the victim's finances.

Siverling criminal complaint - Olmsted County Court
Siverling criminal complaint - Olmsted County Court
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Court records indicated an Olmsted County investigator began looking into the situation in early 2022 after receiving a vulnerable adult maltreatment report concerning an 81-year-old man living in a secure memory care facility in Rochester. The report involves suspicions that the couple had been making cash withdrawals from ATMs and writing checks that were not in the victim's best interest.

sanjagrujic
sanjagrujic (stock photo)
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The charges stated that Colleen Siverling had been granted Power of Attorney for the elderly man. While being interviewed by investigators and Olmsted County social workers, the couple claimed the funds were used to clean up and fix the victims home, but they were unable to provide any documentation. The court document says Siverling also explained that an attorney had told her to pay herself $25 per hour for the time she spent on her Power of Attorney duties.

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According to the criminal complaint, the couple also admitted using some of the victim's funds to purchase new tires for a camper and buy nearly $4000 worth of jewelry. They claimed they were paying back the victim, but lacked documentation to verify those payments.

Siverling criminal complaint - Olmsted County Court
Siverling criminal complaint - Olmsted County Court
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Siverling previously entered into a plea agreement and admitted to one of the two felony charges against her. She has now been sentenced to five years on probation and the judge presiding over the case has set restitution at $79,718.

 

Her former husband, 35-year-old Corey Keigher, still faces two counts of aiding and abetting financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Court records show he is currently scheduled to stand trial on the charges next March.

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