Militia Founder Accused Of Exploiting Elderly Woman

The founder of the largest militia in Oregon is under investigation for taking a $25,000 gift from an elderly woman who lived in his home as part of a foster-care arrangement.

Michael Cross “financially exploited” the 85-year-old woman, according to a court document filed by a senior services caseworker.

But Cross, 29, denied any wrong-doing.

Investigators from the Salem police department, the Mid-Willamette Valley Senior Services Agency and a conservator appointed for Phyllis Carlberg are looking into allegations about the money she gave Cross.

Cross, a candidate for Marion County commissioner, gained media attention after disbanding the Salem-area militia last May to make a bid for public office. Cross said his militia group, which had claimed 300 members, had been infiltrated by government agents.

Carlberg recently told doctors she was drugged without her knowledge in 1951, and held hostage by the Pentagon and the CIA. Since then, she said, she’s been under constant surveillance. Medical records show Carlberg suffers from paranoid delusions and hallucinations.

But Cross insists that Carlberg was fully capable of making decisions about her finances.