Mill Valley elder theft suspects plead guilty

A San Francisco couple accused of stealing more than $135,000 from an elderly Mill Valley woman have pleaded guilty.

The investigation began in November 2021, when the victim’s financial representative reported irregularities in her account, said Mill Valley police Capt. Lindsay Haynes. Further investigation by police determined that the victim had written checks over several years to Philip Adams, 75, and Lorraine Adams, 73, who had befriended the woman.

The Adamses also had been added as beneficiaries on two of the victim’s accounts without the knowledge of the financial representative, who had power of attorney, Haynes said.

Mill Valley police sought elder theft charges, and the Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony case. Authorities alleged the loss was $135,255.

The Adamses accepted a plea deal on Thursday and admitted to a misdemeanor count. They received a 120-day jail sentence, but the sentence was stayed pending the completion of one year on probation.

In a joint statement, defense attorneys Camille Bosworth and Juliana Weil called the case “an unfortunate misunderstanding.”

“Philip and Lorraine paid back the money they accepted, plus interest, in full,” the lawyers said.