Woman steals $800K from non-profit designed to help indigent, elderly people, police say

Police say Melinda R. Bixler took $800,000 meant for her non-profit and used it for personal gain.

Ted Czech
York Daily Record

A woman who launched a non-profit in West Manchester Township to benefit the elderly siphoned about $800,000 from it to benefit herself, family and her for-profit business, according to charging documents.

Melinda R. Bixler, 47, of the 1600 block of Wyndham Drive South, Spring Garden Township, faces three counts of corrupt organizations, two counts of theft and one count each of conspiracy to commit theft and receiving stolen property.

Bixler is identified as the owner of Elder Health Care Solutions, located at 4070 W. Market St. The business provided power-of-attorney services to elderly clients who do not have anyone to manage their financial affairs.

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At the same location, Bixler later launched a non-profit called Adult Care Advocates, with the purpose of providing financial assistance to elderly clients in need.

The investigation focused on the estate of a man, whose last will and testament stated that approximately $800,000 would go to Bixler's non-profit, documents state.

"The funds from this account which totaled $808,417.16 back on 11-13-17 were to be used solely for the purpose of indigent people who could not afford healthcare/living expenses, food," documents state. 

But the funds did not go to their intended destinations, documents state.

Investigation

Charging documents state that between Nov. 13, 2017, and Jan. 31, Bixler engaged in "racketeering activity" by taking money out of her non-profit and transferring it to her for-profit business, herself and family members, documents state.

The York County Detective Bureau launched its investigation in September after a former Elder Health Care Solutions employee reported suspicious financial activity, documents state.

The employee said she saw signs the business was struggling -- employee checks bounced, Bixler's credit cards were rejected and taxes were not paid, according to documents.

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The money from the man's estate was deposited into an Adult Care Advocates account on Nov. 13, 2017, but from there, it was split into a myriad of checks, payable to a variety of sources. Those sources included Bixler herself, her for-profit company, a drug rehabilitation center for a family member and a bar/restaurant, documents state.

"Melinda Bixler is the one who created, oversees, and is in direct control of the charitable organization known as Adult Care Advocates," according to charging documents.

Melinda R. Bixler, charged with three counts of corrupt organizations, theft, conspiracy to commit theft and receiving stolen property.

Preliminary hearing

Bixler has a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Keith L. Albright on March 16, according to online court dockets.

Reached on Thursday, Bixler's attorney, Chris Ferro, said that he was in the beginning stages of reading the charging documents.

"It would be too early at this point to make any comments about the matters alleged in the document," Ferro said.

Ted Czech is a multi-platform crime/emergency journalist with The York Daily Record.  He can be reached at tczech@ydr.com, at 717-771-2033 or on Twitter at @TedCzechYDR