A Stevens County man charged with illegally raiding hundreds of thousands of dollars from the elderly woman under his care has been ordered to remain in federal custody at the Spokane County Jail.
John “Herb” Friedlund, 79, sought release Monday from U.S. Magistrate Judge Cynthia Imbrogno. But she ordered Friedlund — who takes medicine for a heart condition — held in custody pending reconsideration.
Friedlund was indicted last week and pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of money laundering and five counts of failing to file income taxes on money he withdrew from the retirement accounts of Frances Swan, who is now 107.
Investigators allege in both state and federal cases that Friedlund drained Swan's funds and wired large sums of money to men he met on the sexually explicit website gaysugardaddy.com.
The state case will remain on hold as long as Friedlund remains detained on the federal charges. If he is released, it would free up Stevens County prosecutors to proceed with multiple charges in state court.
Read previous coverage here.
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