Wife of local attorney accused of stealing tens of thousands from elderly

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The wife of a local attorney has been arrested on allegations she stole tens of thousands from an elderly man over the course of several months.

In the arrest report, the victim told police he had medical issues and that he never knew Melissa Edwards was writing checks to herself.

Edwards, of St. Johns county, was arrested at her home Wednesday after she reportedly stole more than $50,000 from the man.

“It’s a scheming to defraud,” said St. Johns County Public Information Officer Chuck Mulligan.

According to deputies, from February to September of 2019 Edwards wrote checks to herself and used the victim’s account to buy things.

Deputies said it took several months to investigate once the victim came forward.

“It’s a time-consuming process. Legal systems and payment records from private corporations take time,” Mulligan said.

In the report, it states Edwards wrote a total of thirty checks from the victim’s account.

According to deputies, during that time, the victim got sick and moved to Tallahassee.

Shortly after the victim relocated, police say Edwards and her husband traveled to Tallahassee.

The report says they put together a will leaving the victim’s estate to Edwards and using the power of attorney to complete the process.

The victim told deputies he had medical issues and that he never gave Edwards permission to write checks to herself.

The victim goes on to say Edwards refused to let him see his bank statements when he asked, but when he finally did see them, he learned Edwards had been stealing his money all along.

Action News Jax went to the home where Edwards was arrested, but after knocking on the door twice, no one answered.

The report also said when officers confronted Edwards about writing herself the checks, she seemed confused, saying she may have paid herself back traveling to visit the victim in Tallahassee.

Edwards is in jail on a $15,000 bond.

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