Waynesville woman accused of stealing assets from elderly relative

A Waynesville woman is accused of stealing thousands of dollars and racking up credit card debt while acting as power of attorney for an elderly relative who lived in Lebanon.

Elizabeth K. Coterel, 52, was indicted Friday by a Warren County grand jury on charges of theft from a person of a protected class, a second-degree felony; forgery, a third-degree felony; four counts of theft, a fifth-degree felonies; and two counts of misuse of credit cards, first-degree misdemeanors.

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Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said Coterel allegedly stole more than $30,000 and accumulated almost $30,000 in credit card debt from July 2015 through July 2021 while acting as power of attorney.

“It was substantial,” Fornshell said. “She takes over the POA and the relative’s assets began dissipating very quickly.”

He said Coterel allegedly transferred funds from the relative’s accounts and deposited cash advances from the relative’s credit card into her account.

If convicted on all charges, Coterel faces a maximum of 18 years in prison.

Coterel is not in custody and an arraignment hearing had not been scheduled, according to court records.

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About the Author

Ed Richter

Ed Richter has been a working journalist for 38 years, with the last 34 years working in various capacities covering Butler and Warren counties as a reporter and an editor. Richter covers local news and governments in Warren County focusing on Springboro, Lebanon, Franklin, Carlisle and Waynesville.