INDIANAPOLIS -- An IndyGo bus driver is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the estate of a man she befriended while he was a passenger on her route.
The Marion County Prosecutor's Office filed one count of forgery and eight counts of theft against Charmaine Leake this week.
Leake was named the executor of Donald Gallagher's estate after his death in 2010. Prosecutors say Leake befriended Gallagher while he was a frequent passenger on her IndyGo bus route.
Gallagher had no children or siblings and never married. Leake was supposed to see that his estate was properly administered.
Instead, prosecutors say, over the course of three years she opened accounts with various banks under the name "Estate of Donald Gallagher" and used money from the estate for her own personal gain. In all, prosecutors allege Leake stole more than $44,000 from Gallagher's estate.
At least $6,000 was reportedly spent by Leake with "JRW Consultants" in a search for heirs to the estate. The prosecutor's office says JRW Consultants was a fictitious company.
Leake's next court appearance was scheduled for January 7.
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