Idaho
Idaho man now charged with wife in exploitation scheme of vulnerable Utah resident
The husband of a Pocatello lady accused of persuading a terminally unwell Cottonwood Heights man to signal over his will and energy of lawyer to her simply earlier than he died, has now additionally been charged in reference to the investigation. (Johanna Kirk, Deseret Information)
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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — The husband of an Idaho lady accused of exploiting a terminally unwell Utah man into signing over his possessions to her now additionally faces costs in reference to the alleged scheme.
Robert Billings, 71, of Pocatello, was charged Tuesday in Utah’s third District Court docket with monetary exploitation of a susceptible grownup who lacked the capability to consent, a second-degree felony.
Final week, Billings’ spouse, Marina Billings, 50, of Pocatello, was charged with monetary exploitation of a susceptible grownup and aggravated abuse of a susceptible grownup, second-degree felonies.
The Billingses had been charged in reference to the identical crimes final 12 months, however prosecutors later dismissed these costs whereas saying extra investigation was wanted.
Marina Billings, who was a Bannock County Jail worker, met Boris Leiken, of Cottonwood Heights, on-line in 2020. Leiken, initially from Russia, was a champion speedskater.
Regardless of being married, Billings started touring to Utah and developed an intimate relationship with Leiken, based on charging paperwork.
Beginning in Might of 2021, Leiken started experiencing medical issues and by April or Might of that 12 months, Billings moved in with Leiken. Leiken died at age 69, “after being recognized roughly a month previous to his demise with an aggressive and deadly type of Creutzfeldt-Jacob illness, generally known as mad cow illness,” based on the costs.
Prosecutors say previous to Leiken’s demise, Billings “created or modified Mr. Leiken’s testamentary paperwork … leading to her changing into the administrator and beneficiary of his property.”
As investigators continued to look into Leiken’s new will, they discovered {that a} notary was contacted by Billings and notarized a number of paperwork in Might 2021 whereas Leiken was within the hospital, together with energy of lawyer, his well being care directive, his will and deed on his residence, the costs state. Prosecutors say one other man, later decided to be Robert Billings, was additionally current for the signings, however represented himself solely as a buddy of Marina Billings.
Nurses who cared for Leiken on the time say Leiken lacked the psychological capability to make choices like that, based on the costs.
When police later searched the Billings’ Idaho residence, they discovered a hidden room.
“Within the room, officers discovered Mr. Leiken’s will, energy of lawyer, advance well being care directive, belief and stop declare deed that had been created by Marina and Robert Billings,” based on charging paperwork. “The desire named Marina Billings as the only real beneficiary and private consultant of Mr. Leiken’s property and Robert Billings as a secondary private consultant. The desire makes no reference or bequests to Mr. Leiken’s dependent aged mom who suffers from Alzheimer’s illness.”
A warrant was issued Tuesday for Robert Billings’ arrest.