By Kim Paskorz

Butler Eagle Staff Writer

At “almost 91 years of age” Phyllis Johnston is a little spitfire, having her hair done, dining at restaurants, meeting with friends and getting around fairly well despite serious health concerns.

But, she also tells a story of how a trusted home health care worker caused her what she deems “a catastrophe” of financial woes.

So much so, that after hearing the feisty senior speak about the impact of the aide’s theft of $8,000 by unauthorized purchases and withdrawals using Johnston’s credit and bank cards, a courtroom bystander, a complete stranger, offered her $100.

The story played out Thursday in the Butler County Courtroom of Judge William Shaffer.

Then defendant Nicole R. Christy, 31, of Center Township was sentenced.

Christy pleaded guilty to one felony count of identity theft, and was ordered to serve 6 to 12 months in the county prison followed by 6 years of probation. She also must repay the money she took and do 100 hours of community service.

But before issuing the punishment, the judge gave an opportunity for both the defendant and the victim to speak.

Johnston of Saxonburg, who suffers from congestive heart failure, diabetes and renal failure, spoke first, explaining to the judge that she had hired Christy to be her aide through a reputable service. And during Christy’s visits three times a week for more than a year, Christy pretended to befriend her.

They shared meals, swapped stories and built trust.

But during this time, court records say, Christy was secretly using the older woman’s credit cards to buy thousands of dollars worth of items like children’s toys, a Hoover vacuum cleaner and an air-conditioning unit.

The crimes came to light in the most embarrassing way for Johnston, a lifelong good credit holder.

First, she was having lunch with a group who meet to grieve the loss of loved ones when her credit card was denied. A friend had to pay for the meal Johnston had.

On another occasion, she had to walk away from a cart full of groceries because her credit card was denied at the check out counter. And then, there was the time her card was denied after her hair was just finished by a beautician.

“You watched me fumble in my wallet,” Johnston said to Christy in the court room. “You stood beside me and rolled your eyes, making me feel like I was old and incompetent.”

Court records say another of Johnston’s residential caregivers noticed the uncharacteristic credit activity and contacted Saxonburg police.

During the investigation, police determined Christy had used Johnston’s credit cards for purchases in Butler, Mercer, Allegheny and Lawrence counties, and in Michigan. Investigators eventually connected Christy to store receipts totaling more than $6,500, made on Johnston’s credit cards.

Additionally, police said, she used the elderly woman’s bank card to make unauthorized ATM withdrawals of $1,536.

“You are cold,” Johnston said to Christy. “What you did was horrendous, and I pray that you will never work with anyone in the elder population ever again, or anyone that would trust you. It’s far too easy for you to take advantage.”

Christy, when given a chance to speak, apologized to the victim.

“I bought things that I needed but couldn’t afford,” Christy said, noting that she is the mother of a 10-year-old son. And her husband, who delivers a newspaper, is ill.

As Johnston left the courtroom, she was approached by Dave Zanicky of Butler. He’d been in the courtroom as Johnston spoke, waiting for a different proceeding to begin and said he was so moved he pledged to mail $100 to Johnston.

“I just want to do something,” he said.