Former Lowell official convicted of cheating neighbor out of home

WOBURN, Mass. — A former Massachusetts city official who convinced his mentally incapacitated neighbor to sign her house over to him is heading to prison.

The Sun reports that former Lowell Building Inspector David St. Hilaire was convicted Monday of larceny from an elderly person. St. Hilaire's conviction on the same charge in a previous trial was thrown out after an error by a judge.

Erika Magill, St. Hilaire's neighbor, signed her home over to him in exchange for $92,000 while she was ill in a nursing home in 2010. Magill died shortly after signing the agreement and was never paid.

St. Hilaire's attorney says Magill was worried about medical bills.

Prosecutors say Magill was not competent when she signed paperwork and that her expenses were covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

Sentencing is Thursday.

Associated Press