Jury trial scheduled in theft case

A 62-year-old Rhinelander woman accused of taking over $100,000 from an elderly person while serving as his power of attorney is scheduled to stand trial in late June, two years after the Oneida County district attorney’s office charged her with a single felony count of theft of movable property (special facts).

According to the criminal complaint, filed in June 2023, the case involves the alleged transfer of over $107,000 to Terrie Ann Bowman’s 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 charge includes an enhancer because the alleged victim was elderly.

Bowman entered a not guilty plea to the charge in late August 2024, after the proceedings were delayed for several months due to the withdrawal of her original attorney back in January 2024.

Bowman hired a new attorney, Jonas Bednarek, in mid-February and a new hearing was scheduled for early May. 

However, following a request for an adjournment, that hearing was rescheduled to early August before Judge Mary Sowinski.

Sowinski succeeded Judge Mike Bloom who retired on July 31.

The case was delayed again when the defense filed motion suggesting Sowinski should recuse herself due to her former role as an assistant district attorney. She ultimately agreed.

The third magistrate assigned to the case, Judge Galen Bayne-Allison of Lincoln County, held a status conference in October at which time the parties noted there is a probate case pending in Oneida County Circuit Court that could impact the criminal case. That matter is also before Judge Bayne-Allison.

After directing the attorneys involved in both cases to confer regarding motions and discovery, Bayne-Allison filed an order in December scheduling a jury trial in the criminal case for June 24-26, 2025.

A status conference is scheduled for May 9 with a final pretrial conference to follow on June 10, if the case is not resolved.

According to the complaint, Bowman became friends with the alleged victim because he frequented her 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 arrange 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 the $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 probate matter is scheduled for trial in September 2025.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].