OPP lay charges after elderly Frontenac County resident defrauded

An individual from Central Frontenac Township is facing a list of charges following a lengthy investigation into financial irregularities dating back several years.

Members of the Frontenac County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began the investigation in 2017, according to a media release. A family representative contacted the OPP to report that hundreds of thousands of dollars, belonging to an elderly family member, were unaccounted for.

According to the release, members of the Frontenac County OPP Crime Unit worked in conjunction with a Forensic Accountant, and with assistance from the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee.

As a result of the investigation, John Erhardt, age 79 of Central Frontenac Township, has been charged with:

• Theft by person holding Power of Attorney
• Criminal breach of trust
• Fraud, use of credit card
• Theft over $5,000
• Personation with intent (Identity Fraud)
• Obtain credit by false pretenses

Erhardt was not held in custody and is presently before the courts in relation to these charges, OPP stated.