Daughter accused of swindling ailing St. Paul father

Anacleto Adamez raised 10 children in his small 1 1/2-story home on St. Paul's West Side. After suffering a stroke in August 2000, he gave his son Jesus power of attorney over his affairs.

Unknown to the rest of the family, his daughter Alma Adamez-Randle filed a quit-claim deed on Aug. 15, 2000, making herself co-owner of her father's home. She then took out three mortgages, the last in 2006, for more than $134,000, according to court documents.

She also allegedly helped herself to his bank account, making large withdrawals after she moved into his house to help him with daily living, the documents said.

Anacleto Adamez died Sept. 28 at age 82.

Alma Adamez-Randle, 46, was charged Monday in Ramsey County District Court with one felony count of theft by swindle. She must appear in court April 7.

Adamez-Randle is a lieutenant at the Shakopee women's prison. Shari Burt, a spokeswoman for the Corrections Department, said Tuesday that she can't comment on specific cases, but said policy requires any employee charged with or being investigated for an offense to report that to his or her supervisor.

"She has at this time met the requirements of the policy reference" and has not been put on leave, Burt said.

Jesus Adamez was given power of attorney for his father on Aug. 14, 2000. The defendant was granted successor power of attorney the same day, meaning that she would take over only if her brother became incapacitated or resigned.

On Aug. 3, 2004, the defendant took out a first mortgage of $43,017, signing her father's name to the loan. The entire amount was used to pay her debts, the complaint said.

On May 24, 2005, she took out another mortgage for $59,307, again forging her father's signature. Most of that money was used to pay the first mortgage, the complaint said. On May 3, 2006, she took out yet another mortgage, for $134,236. That one paid off the 2005 mortgage, with several thousand dollars left over, the complaint said.

Anacleto Adamez's bank records also showed large withdrawals by Adamez-Randle above and beyond his monthly expenses, the complaint said.

When police searched the home on Jan. 12, it was in such a state of disrepair and filth that it had to be condemned, the complaint said. Police also found "evidence of extensive gambling" by the defendant, it said.

Adamez-Randle couldn't be reached Tuesday.