Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Economic Crimes Unit

Kari Smith (Arrested)
DOB: 10/20/1977
Address: 14099 Belcher Road S. #1099, Largo
Charges: 1 Count of Exploitation of an Elderly or Disabled Adult, 2 Counts of Criminal Use of Personal Information

David Waddell (Victim- Deceased)
DOB: 8/8/1927
Address: 1530 S. Ft. Harrison Ave, Clearwater

What:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested a woman who they say exploited an elderly man and stole $90,806.24 from his financial accounts.

When:
The investigation began in February 2015.

The suspect was arrested on September 8, 2016.

Where:
The investigation was conducted in Pinellas County.

Why/How:
After an extensive investigation that lasted more than a year and a half, detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested Kari Smith who they say exploited an elderly man and stole $90,806.24 from his financial accounts.
 

According to detectives, Smith was working as a legal assistant for a Clearwater law firm in 2014 when she first met the victim, 86-year-old David Waddell.  Waddell, who was suffering from mental illness, sought legal assistance from the law firm where Smith worked.  Smith befriended Waddell and convinced him to pay her large amounts of money to perform clerical work on his behalf.

Detectives say that Smith entered into a personal “employment agreement” with Waddell, without the knowledge of Waddell’s attorney or the law firm Smith was employed with.  

During the course of their business relationship, Smith obtained Waddell’s personal information and gained access to his financial accounts where she wrote checks and transferred large sums of money to herself. On one occasion, Smith used Waddell’s debit card to pay for a new roof on her home. 

In February 2015, Waddell passed away.  After his passing, Waddell’s family discovered the inconsistencies in his financial estate. Waddell’s family became suspicious and contacted detectives.

Detectives say that during the course of their investigation, Smith impersonated Waddell, and utilized the deceased’s personal information to try and transfer more money from Waddell’s financial accounts.  

On September 8, 2016, Kari Smith was interviewed at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office located 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.  She was charged with one count of Exploitation of an Elderly Person and two counts of Criminal Use of Personal Information.

Detectives estimate that Kari Smith stole a total of $90,806.24 of David Waddell’s money for herself between July 2014 and January 2015.

Smith was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident. 

The investigation continues.


Kari Smith booking photograph.