Clarion woman held on hundreds of theft charges

From staff reports

A Clarion woman facing hundreds of charges that accuse her of defrauding a 78-year-old woman out of nearly $250,000 was held for court this week in Clarion County Court.

Deborah Lee Bottaro, 56, was bound over on 560 charges, The charges were filed in December in connection with incidents that occurred between May 2015 and April 2018, according to a criminal complaint filed by Clarion state police.

Deborah Lee Bottaro

The complaint says the 78-year-old woman had given two women, including Bottaro, power of attorney in September 2013. But a revocation took place in May 2015, granting Bottaro the sole power of attorney for the woman, the complaint said.

Shortly afterward, Bottaro moved her family into the woman’s Clarion Township residence, according to the complaint.

The 78-year-old woman contacted state police when she discovered her utility bills weren’t being paid, and police reviewed her banking account information provided by the Clarion Area Agency on Aging, the complaint said.

It was apparent Bottaro had cashed the woman’s CDs and annuities and deposited the funds into the woman’s checking accounts, the complaint said. Bottaro then removed the money by writing checks to herself for cash, businesses and other entities, according to the complaint.

Bottaro surrendered to authorities Dec. 6.

Felony charges against Bottaro include 14 counts of forgery-alter writing and 21 counts each of theft by unlawful taking of movable property and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds.

Misdemeanor charges include 252 counts each of theft by unlawful taking of movable property and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds.

Bottaro remains free on a $1,000 cash security posted by a private surety.