Court For Dartmouth Woman Accused Of Looting $1.2 Million

A Dartmouth woman accused of stealing about $1.2 million from an elderly doctor she was caring for is due in court this coming week on forgery, larceny and other charges.

Prosecutors say Gloria Balestracci worked as the office manager for the New Bedford-based doctor for more than 13 years. The 66-year-old woman continued working for him after he retired, helping him with paying bills, buying groceries and general home and health care.

Prosecutors say Balestracci forged the doctor's signature on checks she wrote to herself and relatives, stealing about $1.2 million from about 2004 until he died in 2009.

She is scheduled to be arraigned in Bristol Superior Court on Tuesday on the charges including larceny and forgery.

It was not immediately clear if Balestracci has an attorney.