CLEVELAND — A 38-year-old Cuyahoga County woman was found guilty Tuesday of fleecing the life savings of an elderly man she had befriended. She allegedly used the some of the money for cosmetic surgery, including botox and butt implants.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Shannon Gallagher found Lisa Wisniewski guilty of theft and money laundering charges, alleging she systematically siphoned off as much as $150,000 from an 89-year-old man she had moved in with and promised to care for.
Wisniewski was initially indicted last year following an investigation by Parma Heights Police after the victim's family filed a police report.
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Cuyahoga County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brent Kirvel said Wisniewski obtained cash through "cash withdrawals, ATM and counter withdrawals--really corralling the money into a checking account and then just pulling the drain plug".
During the trial, a key witness in the case was Wisniewski's aunt, who testified that some of the cash was used for cosmetic surgery including "botox and maybe some butt shots".
An exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation first uncovered allegations of financial exploitation involving Wisniewski as well as thousands of other cases that failed to be fully investigated by Ohio's Adult Protective system that is not equipped to pursue the surge in financial exploitation allegations across Ohio.
Wisniewski is scheduled to be sentenced September 30 and could face up to 8 years in prison.
