A Macomb County woman has been handed a stiff penalty for exploiting two vulnerable adults under her care, as Michigan's legal system attempts to clamp down on financial crimes against the elderly and disabled. Lisa Ludy, 54, of Macomb, received a sentence of 3 to 20 years in prison on 18 felony counts for her criminal actions, according to an announcement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The charges against Ludy included conducting a criminal enterprise, embezzlement, and interference with a witness, with varying sentences for each count, all set to run concurrently while as a condition of the plea deal, Ludy has agreed to pay restitution totaling $187,827.96 to the victims—of which she has already paid $17,000. "This sentence secures not only prison time but substantial restitution for the vulnerable adults who were exploited by the guardian and conservator they entrusted with their finances," Nessel stated, highlighting the commitment of her office to seek justice and support the victims in their effort to recoup stolen funds, as per Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Ludy, through her company Community Guardian Care, Inc., was entrusted as a guardian and conservator for one victim in 2016 and subsequently used her position to funnel over $100,000 for personal expenses and to her family's businesses. Charges surfaced when a second victim also reported Ludy for stealing his Social Security income following her removal as his guardian—she used his debit card for her purchases and to withdraw cash from his account.
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