SEATTLE -- Prosecutors have filed theft charges against two sons of Seattle true-crime author Ann Rule, alleging they took thousands of dollars from her.
The King County Prosecutor's Office filed first-degree theft charges against Michael and Andrew Rule on April 17 in King County Superior Court. Michael Rule was also charged with forgery.
Prosecutors separately accuse the sons of raiding their mother's accounts and said they know the victim was "particularly vulnerable or incapable of resistance."
Charging documents allege Andrew Rule continually harassed his 83-year-old mother for money above the income she provided him. Witnesses interviewed said "Andy would pester and bully Ann relentlessly for money."
Andrew Rule has prior convictions for second degree burglary in 1991 and fourth degree domestic violence assault in 1996, as well as a number of criminal traffic offenses, according to the charging papers.
Investigators claim Michael Rule spent freely from his mother's bank accounts, overdrawing them. According to charging papers, he forged his mother's signature on numerous checks.
An initial assessment found over $100,000 in forged checks, but investigators also said further analysis needed to be done. Some of the checks may have paid for legitimate expenses for Ann Rule, but she said in an interview that Michael Rule did not have her permission to sign checks to himself or his wife.
The prosecutor asked for a temporary protection order against both sons.
A message left with Michael Rule was not immediately returned Wednesday. A listed number for Andrew Rule could not be found. The prosecutor's office said it had not been notified of the men's attorneys.
Rule, who lives south of Seattle, has written dozens of best-selling books.
The investigation, which is ongoing, is being conducted by Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, the King County Sheriff's Office and the Normandy Police Department.
