Family of exploited uncle upset with niece’s sentence

BISMARCK, N.D. – A Montana woman accused of exploiting her elderly and mentally impaired uncle in North Dakota has been sentenced to probation and about $30,000 in restitution.

Sixty-nine-year-old Sandra Potter, of Worden, Montana, was arrested in 2014, accused of getting her then-84-year-old uncle to sign over assets including mineral rights, property and his will. Family members say Robert Gross suffered from dementia.

Potter entered Alford pleas Tuesday, acknowledging there might be enough evidence to convict her. However, she’s maintained she had her uncle’s best interests at heart and didn’t try to take advantage of him.

Gross’s niece Lynette Wicorek says family members are upset with the lack of prison time and the amount of restitution.

Prosecutor Todd Schwarz says the sentence was appropriate given Gross’s assets were returned to him in 2015.