Portland Woman Indicted after Investigation Reveals Theft from Vulnerable Adults
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, working in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and at the request of the District Attorney General of the 18th Judicial District, has resulted in the indictment of Eileen Santangelo of Portland, TN.
Investigators determined that Santangelo misappropriated at least $804,247.83 from multiple individuals via her businesses Serenity Homes of TN LLC and Church & Chapel Funeral Service, LLC in Portland; and Restlawn Memory Gardens LLC in Franklin, KY.
Most of the misappropriation ($687,763.05) occurred when Santangelo took money belonging to a trust created by the co-founder of Serenity Homes of TN LLC. The co-founder was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe cognitive illness in 2021, and Santangelo was aware of his condition. The misappropriation included the co-founder’s residence, sale of his rental properties, and other funds collected for the trust.
Additionally, Santangelo misappropriated funds by using a credit card belonging to the Serenity Homes co-founder before he died ($14,150) and after he died in 2023 ($1,352.18). Santangelo also misappropriated a personal check from the co-founder ($6,600) purportedly for Serenity Homes of TN LLC but redirected for her personal expenses, and she used another disabled individual’s credit card after he died ($3,136.42).
Santangelo also misappropriated at least $91,246.18 of a $100,000 investment that another individual made into her businesses. Some of this money was used for her personal expenses, such as a trip to Australia and a loan payment for a car in her spouse’s name.
Based upon this investigation, in November 2024, the Sumner County Grand Jury indicted Eileen Santangelo on three counts of theft of property over $250,000, two counts of financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable person over $250,000, two counts of money laundering offenses, one count of illegal possession or fraudulent use of a credit or debit card over $10,000, and one count of illegal possession or fraudulent use of a credit or debit card over $1,000.
The charges and allegations in this case are merely accusations of criminal conduct, and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
To view the investigative report, go to tncot.cc/doireports. To view a map depicting Comptroller investigations, go to tncot.cc/mappinginvestigations
If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud. Follow us on X/Twitter @TNCOT and Instagram @tncot
Media contact: John Dunn, Director of Communications, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov
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