Local
Farmersville Woman Stole $5 Million From Elderly Victim: Fresno County DA
A Farmersville woman faces four felony charges for allegedly stealing more than $5 million from an elderly Fresno County man.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office filed the counts Tuesday, saying that Christina M. Alvarado, 50, committed the elder abuse fraud over several years.
Related Story: Tulare County DA Charges Ex-Hospital Leaders With Theft, Money Laundering
“After obtaining access to the victim’s accounts, Alvarado completed more than 120 fraudulent check and ATM transactions,” the DA’s office said in a news release.
— Christina M. Alvarado
According to The Fresno Bee, a lawsuit was filed on the victim’s behalf in July of last year. The lawsuit accused Alvarado and an accomplice, along with two check-cashing companies, of profiting from a scheme to drain millions of dollars from a 74-year-old widower with dementia.
The lawsuit stated that Alvarado was withdrawing so much money from the victim’s accounts she needed a rolling suitcase to take it home.
Alvarado’s Bail Set at $1 Million
Alvarado was charged with theft from an elder, two counts of identity theft, and felony forgery.
If convicted of all charges and enhancements, Alvarado faces a maximum sentence of nearly 10 years in prison.
Alvarado is in the Fresno County Jail with bail set at $1 million.
Related Story: Man Convicted in Notorious 1991 Fresno Murders Dies at San Quentin
