Judge Bars Otoe Woman From Blind Man's Accounts
Lori Adams, 56, is charged with theft and abuse of a vulnerable adult
By News Channel NebraskaNEBRASKA CITY – Bond was set Monday morning for an Otoe woman accused of accessing a vulnerable adult’s financial accounts for her own gain.
Judge David Partsch ruled that Lori Adams, 56, is eligible for pre-trial release despite Otoe County Attorney Jenniffer Panko-Rahe’s warning that she and her family are preparing to move to Oregon.
Defense Attorney Angela Minahan said Adams has lived in Otoe for six years and is not a flight risk. She said she could be well monitored by pre-trial services.
Panko-Rahe asked the judge for a no contact order between Adams and her brother, Michael Haag. She said Adams used her authority as power of attorney to access Haag’s accounts and write checks to herself and other family members.
She is charged with theft of above $5,000.
Minahan advised against a no contact order saying Adams is the primary care giver for Haag, who is legally blind. The judge ordered Adams to inform financial institutions that she is barred from accessing Haag’s accounts.