Man convicted of stealing $1.35 million from his own mother

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. (Gray News) – A Georgia man will spend ten years in prison after stealing $1.35 million from his mother.

Thomas Glenn North III, 64, pleaded guilty to 37 counts in a case “involving the neglect, exploitation and theft” of his elderly mother.

Thomas Glenn North III was sentenced to 40 years in prison for stealing $1.35 million from his mother.(Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office)

North was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with the first 10 years in prison and the rest on probation.

The Woodstock Police Department began investigating North after a family member discovered the victim’s bank account had been emptied and she was being evicted from an assisted living facility due to excessive nonpayment of rent.

North served as his mother’s trustee and withdrew $1.35 million from her bank account and trust fund over three years.

“During a difficult time in her life, the victim in this case trusted her son to act as a confidant, trusting that he would protect her finances and well-being,” said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Hines of the Special Victims Unit, the prosecutor’s office. “Instead, he shamelessly took funds from the family trust, stole the proceeds from the sale of her home and completely depleted her savings, forcing her to rely on other family members for support.”

North must also repay the entire $1.35 million he stole, at a rate of $50,000 a year. He is also not allowed to have contact with his mother or any of her family members.

“Elder abuse takes many forms, including theft. Unfortunately, this crime often involves family members,” said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. “What is particularly shocking about this case is that this defendant brazenly withdrew thousands of dollars on a regular basis until his mother was left penniless and could no longer support herself. All the savings accumulated over a lifetime were destroyed in three years.”