SE couple accused of bilking woman out of $90k

AccusedFaciing financial explotation charges

SLEEPY EYE -- A rural Sleepy Eye couple accused of taking more than $90,000 from a woman's bank account to pay their personal expenses were charged with felony financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and theft in Brown County District Court July 23.

David Lynn Remus, 67, was charged with two felony counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Wendalena "Wendy" Remus, 66, was charged with two felony counts of a vulnerable adult and four felony theft counts.

According to court documents, Sleepy Eye Police began an investigation Dec. 4 after investigator Bohnen received a report from the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) that David and Wendy Remus were accused of transferring more than $99,000 from a joint account of a locked memory care unit resident at the Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center.

The MAARC reporter said that since Jan. 1, 2025, David Remus spent about $22,480 and Wendy Remus spent about $77,184 to pay off credit card bills in both of their names. The reporter said prior to that, funds from the victim's joint account were used to pay bills for the victim's care and that David Remus is the victim's power of attorney.

A Dec. 9, 2025, MAARC report stated that the victim had a $52,000 outstanding bill at the Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center.

Investigators obtained search warrants, signed by Judge Docherty for the victim's bank and several credit card accounts that showed tens of thousands of dollars in transfers from the joint account to credit cards, held individually by the Remus', covering expenses that included veterinary bills, a skin and wellness clinic, vehicle repairs and travel.

Both defendants waived their Miranda rights and were were interviewed by Investigator Bohnen. Wendy Remus reportedly admitted a $4,600 Delta Vacations charge was for a family trip that did not involve the victim and a Jensen Motors charge covered tires for a family member's truck.

"I screwed up. I want to make it right," she said, according to the complaint.

An emergency conservator was appointed in court for the victim on Jan. 6.

Wendy Remus' first Brown County Court appearance was set for 8:30 a.m., Aug. 25. David Remus' first appearance was set for 10:45 a.m., Sept. 9.