Former Glen Ellyn Woman Indicted for Financial Exploitation of her Elderly Father

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba announced that the DuPage County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Caryn MacFadyen-Kawamura, 43, (d.o.b. 3/28/61) of 2920 Aspen Woods Entry in Atlanta, Georgia (formerly of Glen Ellyn) involving financial crimes allegedly committed against her father, who is now deceased.  The eight (8) count indictment returned against her includes four (4) counts of Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person and four (4) counts of Financial Exploitation of a Person with a Disability. 

The indictment against MacFadyen-Kawamura alleges that during the period of time that she had power of attorney for her father, Alfred Kawamura, she used money from his bank accounts to make payments on her credit card accounts.  In addition, it is alleged that she used money from her parents’ bank account to take foreign and domestic vacations.  From March 8, 2002 through October 6, 2003, the period that the power of attorney was in effect until it was revoked, MacFadyen-Kawamura is alleged to have taken over $200,000 out of her father’s accounts.

This case came to light after the defendant’s mom passed away and when the defendant’s brother learned that the Lombard nursing home where their father was staying had not been paid in several months.  As the person with power of attorney, it was the defendant’s responsibility to make those payments.  The nursing home filed suit against Alfred for the outstanding amount, and the issue came to the attention of the defendant’s brother.  He in turn contacted authorities, including the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, and an investigation was conducted.  During the course of the investigation, the defendant’s father passed away.  The results of the investigation were presented to the DuPage County Grand Jury by Assistant State’s Attorneys of the Special Victims Unit on December 2nd, which resulted in the eight (8) count indictment returned against the defendant.

Both Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person and Financial Exploitation of a Person with a Disability are Class 1 felonies.  If found guilty, the defendant faces a penalty of between 4 and 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

A warrant for MacFadyen-Kawamura’s arrest was signed last week by Judge Robert Anderson, with bond being set at $150,000.  Another court date will be set after she is arrested and appears in bond court.

“Our senior citizens and persons with disabilities are among the most highly vulnerable members of our society,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “Many times they have no other choice but to depend on others and trust that they will take care of them or their finances.  Our Special Victims Unit is dedicated to seeking justice when these vulnerable citizens are preyed upon, especially by those whom they’ve entrusted with their care and well being.”

State’s Attorney Birkett thanked the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, especially Detective Tom Brown, and Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Ogan of the Special Victims Unit of his office for their outstanding investigation of this case.  Financial cases are extremely detail-oriented and time-intensive, and Detective Brown and Assistant State’s Attorney Ogan diligently pursued the cause of justice for the late Alfred Kawamura.

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not proof of a defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.