Originally Posted - June 27, 2006

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WESTCHESTER---An Eastchester bookkeeper is facing up to 15 years in state prison, accused of stealing more than $380,000 from an elderly Scarsdale woman and her disabled daughter.

Joanne Foster, 59, of California Road, has been charged with two counts of second degree grand larceny, class C felonies, for stealing more than $380,000 over a four-year period from October, 1999 through December, 2003. Foster, a family friend, had been hired to, among other things, do bookkeeping for the victims. As such, Foster had access to PIN numbers and checks to the bank and brokerage accounts of the two women, the Westchester district attorney's office said.

Prosecutors said Foster would make unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the womens" bank accounts and unauthorized credit card payments using checks from their securities accounts. She also opened up credit card accounts in the names of the victims, purchased items for her personal use, and paid off the cards with the stolen money.

The thefts were detected when another family member questioned the type and location of some cash withdrawals.

Foster was arraigned in White Plains City Court and bail was set at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. Foster's next court date is on July 3. 6-27-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette