Three people charged in Eau Claire fraud case

EAU CLAIRE — Three people are facing charges after investigators concluded they took tens of thousands of dollars from a loved one.

Amanda Baker, 31, Eau Claire; Duane Simonson, 65, Eau Claire; and Mark Simonson, 38, no address listed, all face charges of theft of personal property exceeding $10,000 to $100,000, with modifiers for the victim being elderly or disabled.

Duane Simonson and Mark Simonson face five additional counts each of forgery and single counts of unauthorized use of identifying information or documents and fraudulent use of a financial transaction.

Baker faces additional charges of unauthorized use of identifying information or documents, fraudulent use of a financial transaction and two counts of forgery.

The case dates back to early April, when police received a call about possible fraud, although charges were filed earlier that month. The information indicated that a relative’s account had been largely emptied. Investigators noted numerous withdrawals and purchases from ATMs, particularly in tobacco shops, supermarkets and gas stations.

There were also 19 checks addressed to Duane Simonson and five to Mark Simonson.

When police spoke with the victim, she told them she usually spent less than $1,000 on necessities and did not authorize transactions.

Baker made his first appearance last week and posted a $1,500 signing bond. Duane Simonson is awaiting his first appearance, scheduled for October 29.

Court documents sent to Mark Simonson have not been delivered, with USPS saying his address is not currently known. His first appearance is scheduled for October 30.