A New Orleans lady who stole additional than $2 million in inheritance funds from an autistic gentleman after she posed as an attorney has been sentenced to 20 several years in jail.
Kristina Galjour, 45, pleaded responsible on Monday to theft valued at more than $25,000 and 3 counts of working towards regulation without the need of a license right after she defrauded an grownup autistic man whose moms and dads had just died, in accordance to Nola.com.
The 59-year-aged autistic male lost both equally his mothers and fathers in 2015, leaving him thousands and thousands of pounds and a house in New Orleans. The trust was currently being administered by Legacy Regulation Centre, a planning organization the place Galjour worked, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Workplace.
In 2016, Galjour first recognized herself to the man as a attorney even with not staying certified to practice. She gained the unsuspecting man’s rely on and persuaded him to give her electricity of attorney, according to prosecutors.
She then started slowly but surely draining the gentleman of his assets. She ordered a Jaguar in the victim’s identify, whilst he by no means drove it, officials explained. She also made use of the dollars for vacations, hosting functions, and purchasing outfits and other luxury objects for her possess particular use.
She certain the male to indicator his home about to her in 2017 soon after she informed him a team of neighbors was hoping to kick him out and have him sent to a mental institution. She informed him signing above the dwelling to her was the only way to protect against this.
By the time the man at last documented Galjour to the law enforcement, she had fully drained all of the funds from the trust fund, officials reported.
Galjour was arrested in Dec. 2019. In addition to the fraud and license raps, she experienced also been charged with theft, laundering cash in an amount larger than $100,000, exploitation of the infirm, three counts of financial institution fraud and two other counts of theft. The other charges have been dropped on Monday, in accordance to Nola.com.
She was purchased to spend restitution to all of her victims, which include $1.3 million to the autistic man, according to court documents.
Erica Dudas, neighbor and advocate for the person, explained to Nola.com that he is happy that the authorized proceedings are about and he can start to rebuild his life.
“He’s a minimal bit in shock,” Dudas explained. “I’m glad it’s around, and he last but not least understands that men and women feel him more than her.”
The revenue will go to a special wants rely on established up in the victim’s name at Gulf Coast Lender, Dudas mentioned. Neighbors and supporters rallied to assist the man, and have commenced a GoFundMe to assistance the person restart his life and protect the price tag of his treatment. There is also a lawful work to overturn the donation of his spouse and children property.
“I’m assured that [his] everyday living will get superior, and we can open a new chapter,” she said.