Cedar Rapids man accused of exploiting elderly woman for $95,000

A 41-year-old Cedar Rapids man is accused of financially exploiting an elderly woman and taking more than $95,000 from her bank account over a two-year period.

Matthew Anderson, who had his initial court appearance Monday, was charged with ongoing criminal conduct, first-degree theft and dependent adult abuse, according to a criminal complaint. He is accused of committing theft by means of deception on Charlotte Hessenius, 83, of Cedar Rapids, on on a continuing basis from Dec. 7, 2011 to Nov. 12, 2013. He told investigators he was her caretaker.

Cedar Rapids Police and the Department of Human Services conducted an investigation after receiving an anonymous tip that Anderson was taking advantage of Hessenius, who suffers from a debilitating cognitive illness, according to the complaint. Anderson arranged to liquidate and transfer her investments into her bank account and then he issued checks to himself from her account and also used her debit card totaling $95,102 over two years.