Financial exploitation charges dropped in plea deal
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WOODSTOCK – Accused of exploiting the husband’s elderly father, a couple
pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor offenses, but the case was about a
dispute between brothers over their father’s estate that should have been
handled in probate court, a defense attorney said.
As part of a plea deal, Timothy and Rosemary Zink of Wonder Lake pleaded
guilty to obstrucing a peace officer to avoid a trial, said Timothy Zink’s
attorney, Dane Loizzo.
They had been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly
person and theft, both Class 1 felonies typically punishable by up to 15 years
in prison.
Instead, as part of the deal, they were both sentenced to six
months of conditional discharge and ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution to the
estate of Walter Zink, Timothy’s father, who has since died.
However, if the Zinks do not repay the money, they will not be
penalized. The idea is that probate court will determine who is the rightful
heir to Walter Zink’s estate – either Timothy Zink or his brother, Loizzo
said.
– Sarah Sutschek
http://www.nwherald.com/2013/03/07/financial-exploitation-charges-dropped-in-plea-deal/ajq87fw/
