A 14-month investigation has led to the charge of a Calgary business owner in connection with an alleged scam that police say cost a “vulnerable person” many thousands of dollars.
But the woman facing the charges says she did nothing wrong, calling the allegations offensive.
Investigators say a person, due to a medical condition, asked a friend to become their proxy in 2016.
After the girlfriend took control of the person’s finances, police believe she personally took and mismanaged more than $350,000 belonging to the person between December 2016 and August 2020.
Police said they began their investigation after they were contacted in October 2021. The Elder Abuse Response Team began the investigation.
The Calgary Police Service says 62-year-old Valerie Dorothy McKenzie is facing one count of theft over $5,000, one count of fraud over $5,000 and one count of laundering the proceeds of crime. She is due in court on January 31.
Police identified McKenzie as the owner of Calgary-based Making Space Professionals, a business they say specializes in helping the elderly and vulnerable.
Reached by CBC News for comment Wednesday afternoon, McKenzie said she was innocent and called the allegations offensive and vindictive.
Mackenzie said she has known her friend since childhood, adding that they lived together in childhood.
“I’m not guilty. I can account for everything, nothing was taken illegally,” Mackenzie said. “She relieves me of work.”
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