DUNMORE -- A man from Lackawanna County is expected to turn himself in Wednesday on charges he took more than $360,000 from his elderly aunt.
The victim also suffers from dementia and investigators claim he was using her money to buy things for years.
According to court paperwork, Robert Shutta of Dunmore is accused of using his power of attorney to take his aunt's money.
We stopped at that man's house to see what he had to say about these charges.
"I can't talk to anybody right now to be honest. Sorry," said Shutta. "I may have an idea (why you're here). It's all false allegations whatever they're trying to pull."
After that exchange, we were asked to leave his Dunmore property.
According to Lackawanna County Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico, Robert Shutta took more than $360,000 from his 97-year-old aunt who suffers from Alzheimer's dementia.
"It's really difficult to understand how someone could look at somebody in such a vulnerable position; they really don't have any ability to defend or stand up for themselves. They are completely at the mercy of the person who has agreed to care for them," said Talerico.
According to court papers, Shutta gained power of attorney for his aunt in 2005 and became her caregiver in 2007. Court documents indicate he paid himself with her money to buy things for his home, made 43 payments with her money to pay off his mortgage, and even used some of the money for a roast beef dinner.
"When you see someone paying their mortgage off and making personal expenses for themselves month after month," added Talerico.
His aunt is now at the Jewish Home nursing facility in Scranton getting the care she needs. Prior to that, investigators say Shutta charged her $500 a week to stay at his house. Court documents say he also charged her $25 an hour just so he could visit her at a nursing home.
"You stay with someone and you visit with someone out of the goodness of your heart. You don't do it because you're being paid."
Robert Shutta of Dunmore is expected to turn himself in Wednesday.