Cordova Woman Convicted in Federal Court of Stealing Over $120K from her Grandmother
CORDOVA, Md. – A federal jury has convicted a Cordova woman in connection with financially abusing her position as the co-guardian and co-conservator of her 81-year-old grandmother.
On Thursday, following a three-day jury trial, 62-year-old Linda Laird was found guilty of conspiracy to commit Social Security fraud and theft of public money; conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and elderly person; and first degree fraud against a senior citizen. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said the jury delivered the verdict after deliberating for approximately four hours.
According to court documents, in Nov. 2017, Laird, and her late parents, James and Joyce Blizzard, were appointed by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia as co-guardians and co-conservators of Laird’s grandmother, who was a vulnerable adult. At the time, Laird’s grandmother was 81-years-old and suffered from severe cognitive impairments. After Joyce Blizzard passed away in Jun. 2018, Laird and James Blizzard continued as co-guardians and co-conservators.
While Laird’s grandmother resided in the nursing home, Laird and Blizzard were required to act as fiduciaries and apply her money towards her support, care, and treatment. Instead, Laird and Blizzard used their authority as co-guardians and co-conservators to redirect the elderly victim’s U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits to their personal bank accounts for their own benefit. In total, Laird and Blizzard stole more than $21,000 in Social Security benefits and obtained over $100,000 from the vulnerable adult’s bank accounts for their personal use. Laird reportedly spent these funds on jewelry, designer shoes, and expensive football tickets.
Both Laird and Blizzard were indicted in Apr. 2024 by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Blizzard died on Feb. 22 of this year before facing prosecution.
Laird’s sentencing is set for Dec. 17.
