Sep 4, 2014 2 min read

WAYNESBURG- A Waynesburg woman was arraigned Wednesday before Greene County Magisterial District Judge Lou Dayich for allegedly stealing $91,124.68 from the bank account of an elderly couple she was doing work for by using their debit cards for personal purchases and cash withdrawals without their authorization.

Kathy M. Cooke, 47, of Champion Drive, is charged with 292 combined counts each of access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property for two cases filed against her on behalf of Joseph Taylor, 86, and his wife, Emma, 90.

Surveillance photos were obtained by Waynesburg Borough Police at various retail establishments, service stations and ATM’s throughout Washington and Greene counties, according to criminal complaints filed against Cooke. Purchases and withdrawals were confirmed through bank statements from the Taylors, police said.

Cooke told police she was given permission to use the debit cards for her personal use. Joseph and Emma Taylor denied giving Cooke such authorization.

While being interviewed by police, Cooke allegedly confessed to using between $1,000 and $3,000 of the Taylor’s money to gamble and buy cigarettes without their knowledge, according to the complaint.

When asked if she was remorseful for using the Taylor’s money without their permission, Cooke allegedly told police, “No.”

Bail for Cooke was set at $25,000 unsecured.

Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. before Dayich.