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Drug Addicted Financial Planner Steals $350,000 From Elderly Florida Woman

By Matthew Kent

A 53-year-old Stuart, Fla. man was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $350,000 from an elderly woman. Ronnie William Flint, 53, was arrested at his home by the Martin County Sheriff's Office after admitting to Florida Department Law Enforcement agents that he took the money because of mounting financial problems and to support a cocaine addiction.

Police allege Flint, a financial planner, stole money from 94-year-old Harriet Dublon since 1993 and accumulated money from ATM withdrawals and checks written to himself from Dublon's account.

Dublon had been a client with Flint for 21 years, hiring him as a financial planner when he worked for Payne Webber. As Flint moved on to AG Edwards and then Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. in 1994, Dublon kept him as her financial planner. She trusted Flint and considered him a good companion, police say.

Flint was booked into the Martin County Jail and held on $500,000 bail. He was charged with one count of exploitation of the elderly, a first-degree felony. Other charges are pending further investigation.