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8.24.2010

elder abuse fugitive surrenders after two years on the run

Last week in Long Beach, Li Ching Liu, who is accused of stealing more than $4 million from a 74-year-old stroke victim, turned herself into authorites. Police had been searching for her since 2008: Fugitive caregiver surrenders in elderly swindle.

Liu is accused of abusing and robbing the elderly victim, who hired Liu to help her following a massive stroke in 2002. Instead of helping her, Liu basically drained her bank account over the course of several years:
Prior to her stroke, and Liu's employment, the victim had led an independent life. She was a single woman who never married or had children and through wise business investments - including commercial real estate - built a sizable personal fortune.

The victim was also extremely social with her extended family and friends, Holdredge said.

Holdredge said Liu, who also goes by the name Susan Liu, completely isolated her victim from the victim's extended family and professional advisors - including attorneys and accountants - within a year of being hired.

The victim wasn't allowed to answer her phone and no one was allowed in her Long Beach home to see her.

Over the next six years Liu drained the victim's bank accounts, writing checks from the victim's account and depositing the money into other bank accounts to launder the funds.

Liu set up more than 60 accounts at half a dozen banks and laundered more than $4 million with the help of her 58-year-old boyfriend, Abolfath Okhovat of Thousand Oaks; and her 29-year-old son, Yun Shih - aka Alan Shih - of Temple City, Holdredge said.
More here: UPDATED: Woman wanted for stealing millions from Long Beach stroke victim surrenders.

When arrest warrants were served two years ago, Liu's boyfriend and son were arrested and convicted of financial elder abuse. But Liu vanished and remained at large until last week. If convicted, she faces the possibility of prison time and liquidation of her assets to reimburse the victim for her loss. Wow, I hope you rot in jail, lady.