Florida man accused of stealing $88K from incapacitated veteran, never visiting him in nursing home

A Florida man is accused of stealings thousands of dollars from a veteran, leaving nursing staff to buy the victim shoes and clothing, police say.

Ray Anthony Hughes, 64, of Defuniak Springs, was charged with the exploitation of a disabled adult, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. He is being held in the Walton County Jail on the charge. 

In 2018, Hughes was given authority over the victim and his estate due to the man’s incapacitation, according to the sheriff's office. Then, for the next two years, Hughes allegedly took $88,000 by depleting the man's bank account of his Veterans Admisntration disability payments.

Authorities said $74,000 of the cash withdrawals were deposited directly into Hughes' personal checking account.

Healthcare managers at a care facility for the disabled man said Hughes never visited the victim during the two years he was there, nor did he contribute to the victim's spending account, according to the sheriff's office.

Staff members typically contributed their personal money to butthe items for the disabled man, such as shoes and clothing, according to deputies.

Investigators also said Hughes deprived the victim of his share of an estate, totaling about $13,000, and is believed to have used the money to help pay for a pickup truck.