Minnesota man sentenced to 4 years in prison for scamming 85-elderly 'adopted dad' neighbor with dementia out of $1.6 million

A federal judge has sentenced a Minnesota man to four years in prison for scamming his elderly neighbor with dementia out of $1.6 million. Joseph Robinson, 46, of Lakeville, convinced the 85-year-old victim, Edward S., to legally adopt him and designate him as his attorney-in-fact, Kare 11 reported.

Robinson took advantage of the victim's mental deterioration and "intentionally devised and executed a scheme and artifice to defraud" Edward, whom he had known from childhood and later reconnected with as an adult in 2018, offering handyman services, according to court documents obtained by Law & Crime. A few years later, the victim was diagnosed with "full-blown dementia."

Robinson asked his "father" for a portion of the inheritance Edward received from his late mother, who died in 2022, securing a $138,000 check from Edward, according to the indictment. The defendant spent most of the money on personal expenses, prosecutors said.

While suffering from mental decline, Robison convinced Edward that he was not well enough to maintain his European car collection. Edward then transferred the titles of his cars to Robinson, and the defendant sold the vehicles for profit. Edward also turned the title of his home over to Robinson and opened a joint checking account in his and Robinson's names, which resulted in Robinson defrauding Edward of his retirement funds, the indictment states.

In January 2023, Robinson came under investigation by the Hennepin County Adult Protective Services. Robinson reportedly instructed Edward to "stop cooperating" with authorities. Robinson ultimately lost his power of attorney in October 2023, when a petition for emergency guardianship was filed, which also froze Edward's assets.

Court filings state that Robinson defrauded Edward of $1.6 million. Judge Jerry Blackwell did not immediately remand Robinson into custody, allowing the convicted defendant to report to prison on a later date.