Bowman bound over for trial in case involving $100,000 bank transfer

A 60-year-old Rhinelander woman has been bound over for further proceedings on a single felony count of theft of movable property (special facts). The charge also includes an enhancer because the alleged victim was an elderly person, according to court records.

Terrie Ann Bowman is due back in Oneida County Circuit Court on Oct. 31 for a pretrial conference in the case which involves the alleged transfer of over $107,000 to her personal bank account, and the withdrawal of $4,000, from an account belonging to an elderly individual for whom she was serving as power of attorney.

The Oneida County district attorney’s office filed the charge in late June. 

Bowman waived her right to a preliminary hearing during an appearance before Oneida County circuit judge Mike Bloom on Aug. 24 and was bound over for further proceedings, according to court records.

She has yet to enter a plea.

According to the complaint, Bowman and her husband became friends with the alleged victim because he frequented their business, R & T’s Dinky Diner.

In 2019, after experiencing serious health issues, the man asked Bowman to serve as his power of attorney over financial matters. In this role, Bowman told investigators she paid bills such as cable, auto insurance and taxes for the man.

The complaint states Bowman had no prior experience as a power of attorney and no training.

In addition to handling bills, she also helped arranged hospice care when the man’s condition worsened, as he desired to die in his own home, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, in late August 2022, just days after the man passed way, Bowman transferred $107,840.45 from his account to her personal account and withdrew $4,000 in cash.

The state alleges that Bowman did not have the authority or consent to transfer the $107,840.45 to her account and withdraw $4,000 and that her conduct constitutes financial exploitation of the elderly.

The Class H felony carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

The River News offered Bowman and her attorney an opportunity to comment for this story but they declined.