Harmony woman accused of financially exploiting vulnerable adult out of over $86K
May 22—PRESTON, Minn. — A Harmony woman has been accused of withdrawing and transferring more than $86,000 into her personal bank accounts from the bank account of a vulnerable adult.
Kisa Lyn O'Connor, 46, was charged in Fillmore County District Court with 18 counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, according to court documents filed on Thursday, May 22.
Beginning in February 2024, the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office received reports from the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) that indicated concerns that O'Connor was "mishandling or misappropriating" the adult's finances. O'Connor was the power of attorney for the adult.
According to the criminal complaint, a report in February 2024 revealed that O'Connor attempted to withdraw $100,000 from the victim's account.
One of the victim's family members, who was previously one of the adult's powers of attorney, spoke with Fillmore County investigators and alleged O'Connor cashed in everything the victim had, including her retirement, pension and savings, after the family sold the victim's home. The family member told police O'Connor had been removing the victim's funds from the bank account and putting them in a safe inside O'Connor's home.
According to the complaint, O'Connor took the victim to see a lawyer and made the victim deem O'Connor as the sole power of attorney and executor/personal representative on the victim's will. The victim was diagnosed with dementia in 2023, and medical records indicated that she was not able to "make major decisions, sign agreements or handle her own finances at the time funds were taken by O'Connor."
From Nov. 4, 2023, through Feb. 20, 2025, O'Connor issued the withdrawal of more than $278,800. At least $86,800 was withdrawn in cash or transferred to O'Connor's bank account, according to the complaint.
When Fillmore County investigators contacted O'Connor on Oct. 29, 2024, she told them she took out a $14,000 prepayment for seven months of expenses because the victim was living with her. According to the complaint, O'Connor said she and the former power of attorney decided $2,000 per month would be the payment to care for the victim.
On Oct. 31, 2024, a Fillmore County Adult Protection Social Worker and an investigator followed up with O'Connor at her residence. O'Connor said she and her family had an agreement on the terms. She also said she withdrew $24,000 in cash from the victim's account the week prior.
O'Connor returned the money to the victim's account after the investigator told her to.
"During her time as victim's caretaker, it is alleged that O'Connor failed to use victim's financial resources for victim's benefit or lawful purposes," the complaint said. "Instead, it is alleged that O'Connor used victim's funds and resources for the benefit of herself or someone other than victim."
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