Reisterstown Woman Pleads Guilty to Felony Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult

REISTERSTOWN - Catherine A. Lawrence, 53, of Reisterstown, was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison and five years of probation for felony financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. The court additionally ordered her to pay $14,855 in restitution to the social security department.

According to Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, Lawrence pleaded guilty to stealing $14,855 in Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) payments from a vulnerable adult in her care.

The Office of the Attorney General says that Lawrence worked at an adult daycare facility, where she met an individual enrolled in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. Lawrence registered herself as the SSDI representative payee, who is in complete control of SSDI funds and is required to use them for the care of the intended recipient.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, from July 2016 through May 2018, “Lawrence stole the victim’s monthly SSDI disbursements and used the money to pay for travel, concert tickets, clothes, and pay her own bills.”

Lawrence has been barred from working in healthcare or with any organization that uses federal healthcare funds.