This story was originally posted to MyNorthwest.com
A former Lake Sammamish restaurant owner pleaded guilty Wednesday to wire fraud and filing a false tax return in connection with a theft from his former customer, an elderly woman.
Richard Dale Radcliffe, 62, admitted to having illegally stolen $515,000 from the financial accounts of an elderly woman he had befriended for the sole purpose of personally benefiting from her wealth, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
Suspect befriended elderly woman to control her finances
Radcliffe developed a friendship with a widow who lived near his restaurant. The DOJ noted the woman was suffering from cognitive decline. Radcliffe coordinated for a friend to serve as the power of attorney for the woman, with Radcliffe maintaining access and control over the victim’s bank accounts…