LEWISTON, ID – An Orofino woman is facing a series of felony charges following an investigation into alleged financial exploitation and abuse of an elderly Parkinson’s patient, according to court documents.
Elizabeth N. Messinger, 44, has been charged with one count of abuse, exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult, along with ten counts of grand theft by unauthorized control or transfer of property. The charges stem from alleged activity that occurred between April 2024 and March 2025.
According to the court documents, Messinger served as an in-home caregiver for a man suffering from late-stage Parkinson’s disease. Prosecutors allege that she used her access to the man’s personal information to open a Capital One bank account in his name without permission, rerouted his retirement and Social Security income into the account, and used the funds for hundreds of personal purchases. The purchases included transactions at gas stations, grocery stores, PayPal and more.
Court documents allege that more than $44,000 was spent through the unauthorized account over the course of a year. Investigators said Messinger associated her personal email and phone number with the account, and login activity linked to her devices was used to manage the funds.
Additionally, a male accomplice reportedly posed as the victim during recorded phone calls to Capital One in an effort to gain access to the account. Authorities say the victim, who had been moved into a care facility, was unaware of the account and unable to manage financial matters due to his medical condition.
The case was brought to light after suspicious banking activity was reported by a local financial institution. Following an investigation that included subpoenas, interviews with medical providers and state protective service agents, and the review of financial data, a warrant for Messinger’s arrest.
Messinger was taken into custody on Tuesday and was expected to make her initial court appearance on Wednesday afternoon.
