Perry County coroner charged with exploitation of elderly, theft

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perry County Coroner Herbert Miller faces felony charges after an investigation by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services found he allegedly spent the money of a 94-year-old woman over whom he had power of attorney.

Miller was charged with financial exploitation of the elderly and theft Monday and arrested at his home in Perryville.

Miller was appointed durable power of attorney by the woman in 2004, a probable-cause statement compiled by health and senior services investigator Gregory Martin showed. She entered a local nursing home in 2008 with medically diagnosed dementia and other disabilities. The woman's doctor, according to the statement, said she has not been competent since entering the nursing home.

Miller is accused of two felonies for allegedly writing checks from the woman's account totaling $80,600 to "cash" and to the Perryville funeral home he owns with his wife. The checks were written from August 2011 through June 2013, according to the statement.

Also, the woman has been denied Medicaid benefits and her bill has not being paid at the nursing home because of Miller's actions, according to the statement, which means the woman could be evicted.

Miller reportedly signed an agreement accepting financial responsibility for her care. Miller admitted to writing the checks during the investigation, according to the statement, but claimed they were gifts from the woman.

Miller declined to comment on the charges when reached by the Southeast Missourian at Miller Family Funeral Home on Tuesday afternoon. He has hired an attorney, he said, but declined to provide the attorney's name. An attorney is not yet listed for Miller in the case in online court records.

Miller posted a $25,000 bond and was released from custody Monday, according to a news release from the Perry County Sheriff's Department.

He has served as county coroner since 1995 and was last elected in 2012.

On Tuesday, other county officials said they hadn't yet heard from Miller about any plans to continue in his elected position. Presiding Commissioner Carl Leuckel said he was surprised to hear of the charges. County Clerk Randy Taylor said he assumed Miller will continue as coroner unless he hears otherwise.

Online court records do not yet show a date for Miller to be arraigned on the charges.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

Perryville, MO