Former Opportunity Village employee charged with criminal conduct

A North Iowa woman is accused of stealing from residents at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake.

Amy Lynn Palmer, 42, of Garner, is charged with ongoing criminal conduct and 15 counts of dependent elder abuse.

Authorities say that while working at Opportunity Village between November, 2014 and September, 2015, Palmer withdrew money from the accounts of 15 residents for her own personal use.  Palmer was working as a caretaker and allegedly stole a total of $8,782.34 from the checking accounts of 15 of her clients.

She is accused of hiding her crimes by altering banking statements, not updating banking ledgers and not keeping receipts.

Palmer posted $50,000 bond and has been released from the Cerro Gordo County Jail.

Ongoing criminal conduct is a class “B” felony, punishable by up to 25 years behind bars.  Dependent elder abuse is a class “D” felony, which carries a prison term of no more than five years.