KINGMAN - A Kingman woman will be sentenced next month after she was recently convicted of bilking an elderly couple out of thousands of dollars.
Kimberly Hickman, 49, was found guilty by a jury in September of charges that she stole more than $25,000 from Andrew and Opal Morabeto.
In what County Attorney Jace Zack called a classic case of the financial exploitation of the elderly, Hickman was accused of taking more than $75,000 from the Morabetos during a one-year period beginning in 2007.
Zack said the actual amount of missing money totals around $412,000, but Hickman was only charged in the criminal complaint for the money taken following the death of Andrew Morabeto.
His death negated a signed statement presented by Hickman's lawyer, which was signed by both Morabetos. The letter, dated October 2006, authorized Hickman to write checks for the Morabetos and Hickman at her discretion.
The notarized letter goes on to say that the arrangement was made because Hickman had served as the couple's caregiver, closest friend, successor trustee and primary beneficiary.
Zack said Andrew Morabeto's death in June 2007 negated his signature on the letter, and Opal did not have the legal ability to enter into such an agreement because she suffers from Alzheimer's.
Zack said Hickman became the sole beneficiary of the Morabeto's estate after knowing the couple for less than three months. Court documents indicate that Hickman met the Morabetos when she sold them a cemetery plot in June 2005. On Aug. 15, 2005, she became the trustee of their estate.
Judge Randolph Bartlett presided over a civil suit against Hickman, in which she was ordered to provide a full accounting of all her financial transactions with the couple's money. She invoked her 5th Amendment right and did not provide the information. Family acting on the Morabetos' behalf are seeking damages and expenses against Hickman.
The case was brought to the attention of authorities after one of Opal's grandchildren contacted Adult Protective Services.
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Article comment by:
no name
What threats? The only threat upon anyone is the wrath of God. He will only let so much be done before he steps in and takes over. May God be with us all.
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Zoe
Threats made by the Hickman family are duly noted.
We are living in an age where people do not feel shame.
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Andy Morabeto's Family
Why do you keep saying that the families are only interested in the MONEY? It is GONE!!!!!! [Deleted].
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
TODD
you can thank the jury all you want but the true is that Kim has a lot of supporters and till all of this is done and then after that we will always stand behind her and support her through everything she goes through no matter what happens. Cause that's what family is for. [Deleted].
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Truth Seeker
To the commenter who said, “The love of money is the root of all evil” and we know who loves the money. [Deleted]. You are believing what you want to believe and it is not the TRUTH!
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Opal's Family
Here’s an update for those that really care about our Grandmother: She has been in the local hospital – not in a nursing home as someone stated. She did live with her Granddaughter, until that said Granddaughter had some health problems and had to have surgery. Gram Opal will soon be living with her daughter, which will be a very happy situation
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Andy Morabeto's Family
This is so ridiculous ! [Deleted]. it was the State of Arizona that pressed charges against the Hickman’s. The jury found Kim GUILTY! Our family contacted Adult Protective Services back in 2006 because we felt that something was wrong then. [Deleted]. Stop whining about what the families have done and take responsibility for your own actions!
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
don't worry your time will come and when it does i really hope you get all your facts together because gods judgment will be the last judgment you will receive. God knows the truth and will deal out his punishment on the people he feels that needs it and believe me your will come. God bless you Kim. I hope after this is over you sue the hell out of this women.
Posted: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Article comment by:
Zoe
Regardless of any letters, it was jury, judge and prosecutor that looked at the facts and did their jobs?
The defendors of Kim seem to think that because Andy and Opal signed over their rights to Kim it was okay for Kim to misspend over $400,000.
How long will the loyal friends of Kim continue their attempts at justifying what occurred?
So much thanks must go to the jury, judge, district attorney and investigators for doing what needed to be done.
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
[Deleted]. here's something for you Opal Jane Court records are public and that nice little letter you wrote HOW ABOUT YOU GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT before you start pointing fingers.
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
People can have known Kim longer than just the time she lived in Kingman!! There are lots of wolfs in sheeps clothing! Perhaps Opals family should let people know that they only became involved when the money presented to be an issue. Also, have they let anyone know that Opal is now in a nursing home. Not in one of their homes? Food for thought!
Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
There are so many people commenting on this article in defense of Kimberly and they absolutely have no facts at all. To the person who says they have known Kim for 11 years - she hasn't been here for 11 years. [Deleted.
It is no wonder some people think Christians are goofy - Maybe if we spent more time asking for Gods wisdom and seeking the truth we wouldn't make such fools of ourselves defending a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Just how long did any of these people who are making comments even know our Grandmother? You only know what Kim wants you to know. Kimberly started working for Gram and Andy in 2005. Gram’s family moved her to Northern California in 2007. [Deleted].
If any of you had known our Grandmother for any length of time you would know that Gram Opal had been a wealthy woman since she was thirty five years old. She never needed Andy’s money.
Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009
Article comment by:
no name
Kim may not have kept records but the bank did ! Truth is truth !
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Article comment by:
no name
I think no one should be quick to point the finger at this story. Everyone's to blame if you ask me.
If the family was concerned about Kim's caregiving abilities, why did they wait so long to step in? I know Kim personally and I know that she did everything legal to the best of her knowledge. Everything was signed and notarized. If Andy would of not passed first, there wouldn't even be a case. Andy ALWAYS said how Kim was an angel sent into his and Opal's life. He never wanted "momma" (as Andy called Opal) to go into a home. Andy ALWAYS said how he asked the family for help and no one would help him.
This saddened his heart and he didn't want family around for this reason.
I know Kim Hickman did everything to honor Andy's wishes. Other care givers came into the picture and they're the ones that should be investigated. How is it that the care giver that was there when Andy died is now living in Andy and Opal's house now? That's what should be looked at. Their belongings were left in the house and now suddenly disappeared!
Now, everyone wants to point the finger at Kim Hickman. The only thing Kim is guilty of is not keeping records. Before we point the finger at some one else, we should all take a look in mirror and let God judge us not man. I am sure that we are all guilty of something. One day we will all stand before God and answer for the things we did on earth, not man. I pray that Jesus will not turn his back and throw stones to you, they way you all have done Kim Hickman.
I feel sympathy and sorry for all family and family memebers involved in this story. May God have mercy and be with us all.
