
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. —A Florida woman is accused of stealing nearly $75,000 from an 88-year-old she met at a local church. Kelly Coppelli’s bond was set at $1 million.
The alleged victim, Volinda Cook, 88, said she does not know how she will ever get her thousands of dollars back.
Coppelli, of New Smyrna Beach, is charged with exploitation of an elderly person and grand theft of more than $20,000.
“Yes, indeed, I was mad with her. I was a real good friend of hers,” Cook said.
Coppelli told police she met the alleged victim at church after the death of Cook’s husband.
The arrest report said, “Coppelli befriended Cook and assumed the ‘daughter’ role.”
Investigators said at the time, Coppelli misused and misappropriated funds that were in Cook’s two Regions Bank accounts.
The arrest report also said the defendant was “in a position of trust as the victim’s power of attorney.”
“At first glance, there’s a possibility this may very well be a civil matter that made its way to a criminal court,” defense attorney Jeff Higgins said.
Coppelli’s defense attorney asked that his client’s $1 million bond be reduced, adding she’s not a flight risk.
Coppelli’s husband was in court on Thursday, but had nothing to say.
The arrest report said Coppelli was working at SunTrust bank when she meet Cook, then later took a job at Regions Bank.
Regions Bank corporate security provided police with “20 videos from January 2017 to August 2017 of ATM withdrawals” and said “all withdrawals were made by Coppelli; approximately $69,000 was depleted from Ms. Cook’s accounts.”
The report went on to say, “The grand total of stolen money from the victim’s two accounts is $74,444.81.”
Coppelli is in the Volusia County Jail.
“I hope she stays, and rots,” Cook said.
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