California Judge Is Accused of Stealing $1.6M from Elderly Neighbor; Suspicious Lawyer Notified Cops
A superior court judge in California has been accused of stealing at least $1.6 million from an elderly neighbor after gaining control of her assets.
Judge Paul David Seeman of Alameda County is accused of funneling the neighbor’s assets to himself over the course of 13 years, report the Oakland Tribune and the San Francisco Chronicle. The alleged victim, Anne Nutting, died in 2010 at the age of 97. Seeman is charged with perjury for allegedly understating his income and with elder theft, the Chronicle says.
According to court documents, Seeman offered to help Nutting and her husband, who were hoarders, when they were banned from their home. Seeman claimed he found $1 million worth of stock certificates and uncashed dividend checks in their house, and obtained a durable power of attorney. Anne Nutting’s husband died about a year later.
Police were tipped off to the alleged wrongdoing after Anne Nutting hired a lawyer in an effort to prevent Seeman from taking control of her home. The lawyer began investigating Seeman’s actions and told police in 2010 that he suspected a felony, the stories say.
