Prosecutor Pleads To $500,000 Embezzlement

Gary Snyder

A northwest Missouri who was just re-elected Harrison County prosecutor this month has admitted to embezzling money from an elderly client.

Richard Turner pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and lying on his return, admitting he took more than $500,000 from a 94-year-old retiree who suffers from memory loss.

He said that over the past decade, the victim's life savings funded personal and even helped to dig himself out of bankruptcy. The victim is the widow of a federal judge, prosecutors said.

Turner spent $327,000 to pay off his mortgage and install a swimming pool. He also spent $23,000 at the Bethany, Missouri, Walmart store and bought $19,000 worth of clothes. Some of the clothing purchases took place at Turner's downtown Bethany clothing store. (source)

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