Missoula, MT – On Oct. 21, 2026, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced that a Big Horn County woman has been ordered to pay $82,770 in restitution for financially exploiting her grandfather. The case was the result of a multi‑agency investigation by the Montana Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Unit, the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Adult Protective Services.
Background and Conviction
Wenona Victoria Meachum was convicted in August of a felony for exploiting an older person. The victim, her grandfather, was over 65 when the wrongdoing occurred. In 2018, Meachum signed a Power of Attorney (POA) that gave her authority to manage her grandfather’s finances, but the POA explicitly prohibited any personal financial gain.
Between Dec. 2018 and Nov. 2020, Meachum violated the POA by initiating 86 online transfers from her grandfather’s account to checking, savings, and mortgage accounts in her own name—accounts the grandfather could not access. Each transaction exceeded Meachum’s authority and was not authorized by the senior.
Legal Action and Restitution
The Elder Justice Unit’s prosecutor, Angie Rolando, pursued the case on behalf of the state. The court ordered Meachum to repay the full $82,770 she took, and she agreed to the restitution amount. The judgment underscores Montana’s commitment to holding abusers accountable and to restoring victims’ losses whenever possible.
Statewide Elder‑Justice Efforts
Knudsen noted that the Elder Justice Unit is actively investigating 19 other cases of senior exploitation. He urged Montanans to remain vigilant and to report any suspected abuse promptly.
Residents can contact the Montana Department of Justice at 406‑444‑3874 to report financial exploitation or elder abuse. Additional resources include the Office of Consumer Protection (email [email protected], toll‑free 800‑481‑6896) and the Medicaid Fraud Hotline at 800‑376‑1115.
Protecting Seniors in Montana
Montana’s Elder Justice Unit works closely with local law‑enforcement and protective‑services agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of financial exploitation, neglect, and physical abuse of older adults. The unit also provides education to families and caregivers about recognizing warning signs and safeguarding assets.
For more information on how seniors can protect themselves against scams, visit the Montana Department of Justice’s website or call the consumer‑protection hotline.
Original reporting: NewsTalk KGVO 1290 (Townsquare) — read the source article.
