Adoptive father lost home after son’s alleged thefts

Reginald Keith is accused of forging checks in his adoptive father's name.

Reginald Keith is accused of forging checks in his adoptive father's name.

The adopted son of a retired U.S. Postal Service worker is accused of exploiting his father for years, actions that caused the man to lose his home.

Reginald Keith of Cherokee County was indicted on racketeering and exploitation of an elder person charges, Attorney General Chris Carr said Monday. Officials said he forged checks in his father’s name for four years and deposited the checks in a personal account.

In all, Keith stole $90,000 to fund his own cleaning and contracting business. The amount includes funds from a reverse mortgage that Keith obtained on his father’s home, Carr said.

“As a result of Mr. Keith’s actions,” Carr said, “his father ultimately lost his home, which prior to the reverse mortgage, had been owned by himself and his wife free and clear.”

He also used the money to fund this own living expenses and to buy a BMW luxury sedan, Carr said.

Keith has not yet been arrested.

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