Paul Joseph Voth Jr., 64, of Windom, has been charged in Cottonwood County District Court with two felony counts and two gross misdemeanor counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, as well as one felony count and one gross misdemeanor count of theft.
According to the statement of probable cause, an investigation by the Windom Police Department and Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services revealed that Voth, who is the power of attorney for the vulnerable adult in question, allegedly misused the adult’s financial resources for personal expenses, including property taxes and utility bills, rather than for the care of the vulnerable adult.
The complaint states that over $21,000 of questionable expenses were paid from the vulnerable adult’s account, with a significant portion occurring between January and June 2025.
As of Nov. 20, 2025, there was an unpaid balance of $12,640 for the vulnerable adult’s care at Pine View Assisted Living.
When speaking with the investigator, Voth stated he had paid the entire Pine View invoice except for $1,000. However, on Feb. 2, the investigator received an email from Pine View indicating the outstanding balance on the vulnerable adult’s account was $13,617.
If convicted, each of the three felony counts carries a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine or both. Each of the three gross misdemeanor charges has a maximum possible sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine or both.
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