Gambling Addiction: Stealing from the elderly

Accused Thief Blames Gambling Addiction

Larksville, Luzerne County-- Marisa Harlen admits she stole most of her eldelry aunt's life savings and blames it on a gambling addiction. She came face to face with her 77-year-old aunt, Louise Olenik for the first time since her arrest in September. She waived a theft charge onto Luzerne County Court but says she will plead guilty.

Harlen told Eyewitness News, " I know I caused alot of pain but my gambling addiction made me do a horrible thing. I will pay the money back absolutely."

Olenik said, "I have nothing to say to her. I'm devastated. I trusted her."

Larksville Detective John Edwards told the I-Team, "Seniors have to be careful whom they trust and have more than one person watching their accounts."



Woman cites gambling addiction in theft

SWOYERSVILLE, Nov 11, 2010 (The Times Leader - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Kingston resident Marisa Harlen admitted Wednesday before the start of a preliminary hearing that she took money from her elderly aunt to support a gambling addiction.

"If I could take back what happened, I would," Harlen said while speaking with members of the media. "I'm absolutely sorry ... ."

Harlen, 29, of Tioga Avenue, waived her right to a preliminary hearing before District Judge David Barilla, sending one count of receiving stolen property, a felony, to Luzerne County Court. She is expected to plead guilty to that charge.

Harlen was charged in September with taking more than $107,000 from her aunt, Louise Mary Olenik, 81, after being granted power of attorney over her aunt's finances.

Police allege Harlen made at least 25 withdrawals in increments of $100 to $500 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs casino from Dec. 21 to April 12, three withdrawals totaling $615 at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., on Nov. 11 and March 12 and a $500 withdrawal on April 10 at Mount Airy Lodge casino in Paradise Township, Monroe County.

"It's all because of the gambling addiction," Harlen said, noting she intends to pay back all the money to her aunt.

Prosecutors withdrew the remaining counts of theft, access device fraud and forgery.

"This is the best outcome we could've had," family members of Olenik said while leaving court Wednesday. "It was a win."

Assistant District Attorney Shannon Crake said this case is difficult because it involves family members and a lot of hurt feelings.

"This is her niece," Crake said. "(Olenik) trusted her."

According to court papers, Olenik told police she permitted Harlen, who is employed at Pennstar Bank in Kingston, to be granted power of attorney over her finances because she trusted a family member and Harlen's banking experience.

Harlen was instructed by a lawyer that she needed permission from Olenik and her husband to access her aunt's bank account unless they became incapacitated. Soon after being granted power of attorney, Olenik said, Harlen began stealing money in July 2008. Olenik became aware of the missing money when notified of her dwindling bank account in April.

Police said an audit of Olenik's bank account showed Harlen used her aunt's money to pay for gifts, homeowner insurance, utility bills, airline tickets and service at an animal hospital. Harlen made multiple withdrawals, sometimes daily, totaling $10,475 at Mohegan Sun casino.

Police said Harlen cashed 16 U.S. savings bonds totaling $15,178 and a $20,000 liquidation check belonging to her aunt into her personal account on Oct. 3, 2008.

Harlen, who is represented by attorney Joseph Yeager, is free on $50,000 bail. She is scheduled for a formal arraignment in county court in January.