Former Cop Convicted Of Swindling 90-Year-Old Man

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A former Chicago Police officer was convicted Thursday of bilking a 90-year-old man out of a $500,000 home -- as well as $400,000 in bank accounts and investments.

Donald Owsley, 63, was found guilty of financial exploitation of the elderly and forgery. Cook County Judge Timothy J. Joyce, who presided over the bench trial, found Owsley not guilty of official misconduct. Owsley's next court hearing is scheduled for May 25.

Owsley befriended Theodore Hoellen, who was suffering from dementia, and persuaded him to sign over his home in the 5800 block of North Kenton Avenue in 2001. Hoellen also gave Owsley control over $400,000 in bank accounts and his Chicago Transit Authority death benefit, prosecutors said.

Hoellen has since died, officials said. Owsley resigned from the police department several years ago.

In 1999, Hector LeFleur, 90, also signed over his property to Owsley. LeFleur's family sued and the property was returned to his estate, records show.

Owsley wasn't prosecuted in the LeFleur case because the statute of limitations expired. But the judge could use the LeFleur case as proof of other crimes to enhance Owsley's sentence, officials said.

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