Northfield woman charged in theft from a vulnerable adult
A Northfield woman is charged in Dakota County with financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and theft by temporary control, both felonies. 52 year old Loretta Anne Fossum is accused of bilking an elderly Northfield woman out of thousands of dollars over a nearly 2 year time period. According to a source, Fossum moved into the woman’s home on Meldahl Lane in April of 2014. She started using the woman’s bank card for personal purchases soon after. The victim’s Power of Attorney started noticing fraudulent activity including numerous charges for restaurants, gas stations and more.
Information was turned over to Rice County Social Services who were less than helpful. The case went to Dakota County as that’s where the victim’s home is. In October of 2014, Fossum closed the victim’s Wells Fargo bank account and opened a new one adding her name, she then spent from that account for the next year. In the Spring of 2015, the victim moved to a local assisted living facility where she remains. According to the source, Fossum continued to live in the victim’s home but stopped paying the bills including insurance and association dues. In September of 2015, Fossum convinced the victim to make her the Power of Attorney. By October, debt collectors were calling the victim’s grandson. The nursing home social worker was able to help the grandson and his mother become joint powers of attorney, put their names on the victim’s accounts and get Fossum removed. Rice County then granted emergency conservatorship through Alternative Resolutions of Owatonna. Fossum is suspected of removing items from the victim’s home before it was locked. The home is now in foreclosure. Fossum has a criminal history that includes dwi, fighting and careless driving. An omnibus hearing is scheduled for June 8th. Both charges carry up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 fines. According to the Faribault Daily, Fossum eventually admitted that approximately $1,500 was spent on projects at other people’s homes, and that she had used some money for her own cell phone bill, trips to the liquor store and internet service. She said she had been paying it back, but probably still owed the victim roughly $3,000.
Library looks for extra dollars
The Northfield Library is asking for another $100,000 due to upcoming change orders. Mayor Graham said it’s an historic building, it’s one of the only 22 Carnegie Libraries left in the State. It’s easy to see why they’ve discovered issues, still, $100,000 is a lot of money. Councilors did question why the library only started with a 5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} contingency fund when most projects use 10{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} of the project. Library Director Theresa Jensen said it was a gamble she felt they had to take. She said the Police Dept. used a 5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} contingency and so, within the realm of Northfield City projects, 5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} was acceptable. they were also on a tight budget. She added that they were on track with their contingency fund (at $64,000 spent so far) until March. Graham says there are several ways to go about providing the funding and that will come up next week. Overall the building is coming in at $95 per square foot. The architect called it a lot of value for the project.
Bly concerned over “backroom deals” with short session
With a short legislative session, House District 20b representative David Bly said, “and so the likelihood of their being backroom deals or things being worked out behind closed doors rather than transparent and out in the open, where folks can testify or say things – that’s probably the way it’s gonna go”. He says that’s unfortunate. Normally conference committees are held at a time when people can be there to testify but, Bly says, when they’re held in the middle of the night, most people can’t get there. The logistical problems the construction creates isn’t helping either. Bly’s full interview is online at kymn.net.
Heads up on Tornado siren drills
This is severe weather awareness week and tomorrow the tornado sirens will go off at 1:45pm and at 6:55pm. You are encouraged to practice emergency plans with your business and/or family. More information is on kymn.net.
Depot update this afternoon
Save the Northfield Depot invites the public to an update on the depot project next this afternoon at 3 p.m. in the Community Room at Village on the Cannon. The update will include a short video, “Donor Dollars at Work”, which captures most of the significant work from last November through March 7th when the depot was finally resting on the new foundation. For more information go to northfielddepot.org.
Listen for news updates on-air at 6, 7, 8, Noon, 3 and 5
