A Calgary businesswoman is facing theft, fraud and money laundering charges after allegedly conning a vulnerable man out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The charges against Valerie Dorothy McKenzie, announced Wednesday, are the result of a 14-month investigation, according to police.
Police say McKenzie, 62, solicited and became the victim’s attorney in December 2016 under the guise of being on her behalf due to a medical condition.
McKenzie is believed to have “personally taken and mismanaged more than $350,000 belonging to the victim between December 2016 and August 2020.”
In October 2021, the victim went to the police.
Mackenzie and the victim were friends, according to police.
McKenzie also owns Making Space Professionals, a business in Calgary that police say specializes in helping the elderly and vulnerable.
When contacted by CTV Calgary Wednesday night, McKenzie said he had no comment at this time.
“This was an incredibly unpleasant situation for the victim who was taken advantage of over a number of years by someone who was believed to be trustworthy,” said police Det. Khal Quaido said on Wednesday.
Quaido says he is proud of the work police have done during the 14-month investigation.
McKenzie is charged with theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and laundering the proceeds of crime.
She is due in court on January 31. The allegations against her have not yet been verified.
Any similar victim or who has information about a similar incident is encouraged to call police at 403-266-1234 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by phone at 1-800-222-8477, online at calgarycrimestoppers.org or through the P3 Tips app.
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