A plea agreement was entered June 14 for a Lake Havasu City woman who engaged in a spending spree with her roommate’s assets. The victim discovered he’d been ripped off when he was released from the Mohave County jail in an aggravated assault case last September, according to police.
Donna Richter, 58, pleaded guilty to taking the identity of another in a deal dismissing six forgery counts and two theft charges. Defense attorney Winston Meeth said Richter used the victim’s checks and credit cards to rack up personal purchases.
Meeth said Richter claims she had the victim’s permission to use some funds, but concedes she far exceeded that authorization.
Police said the victim showed 89 fraudulent charges made to his account for purchases at stores, restaurants and bars. Richter allegedly used some of the funds for housekeeping, pet sitting, house sitting, property owner association dues and taxes.
The plea agreement requires Richter to pay $4,400 restitution to the victim. She is eligible for probation but she could also get as much as 3.75 years in prison when sentenced July 10.
