STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) - A Forest Lake woman has been convicted of bilking her grandmother out of more than $150,000.

A Washington County jury Thursday convicted 24-year-old Elaina Casello of multiple counts of identity theft and felony theft.

Prosecutors alleged the nearly two-year scheme allowed Casello to pay household bills and a student loan.

Prosecutors said Casello told a police officer that during one of her grandmother's visits she stole the woman's checkbook out of her purse. The thefts occurred from February 2011 until December 2012.

County Attorney Pete Orput says his office "earmarked" the case to call attention to financial exploitation of the elderly.

Casello told the Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/1npFXWq) the case is just "a family dispute that got blown out of proportion."

Casello posted bond and remains free until sentencing May 21.

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