Liane Anderson, 45, of Carson City, was sentenced Tuesday to up to eight-and-a-half years in prison for defrauding her 83-year-old mother of an estimated $50,000.
Anderson pleaded guilty in January to felony obtaining money by false pretenses and fraudulent use of a credit card. District Court Judge James Wilson sentenced her to consecutive sentences that totaled 40 to 102 months in prison.
Anderson admitted to making several unauthorized purchases, withdrawals and cash advancements from her mother's bank account and credit cards, according to a statement from the district attorney's office. The district attorney's office cited police reports indicating that Anderson used the money on cosmetic injections, to post bail for a methamphetamine dealer and more.
She blamed her methamphetamine addiction for her crimes and asked the judge for a minimum prison term instead of probation, according to the statement.
Her brother spoke at her sentencing and asked the judge to sentence her as severely as possible, according to the statement.
"It was incomprehensible to me that Liane could do this to our mother," Gregg Anderson said. "My wife and I have tried to help Liane out in so many ways. In every instance, Liane took advantage of anything that we had to offer."
Anderson was also ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution.
In a statement, District Attorney Neil Rombardo said that older people are being targeted more often than ever for financial victimization and often by members of their family.
"This type of financial exploitation has an everlasting impact on these victims, who will likely never recover from the loss inflicted on them," he said in a statement. "This sentence sends a message to all that we will prosecute vigorously all cases involving exploitation of the elderly and we will seek long prison terms."
