NORMANDY PARK, Wash. — True crime writer Ann Rule's sons are charged with theft and forgery. Prosecutors say they stole more than $100,000 of their mother's money.
According to charging documents, Michael Rule is accused of forging $103,628 of his mother's checks.
His brother, Andrew Rule, is accused of coercing or harassing his mother into giving him $23,327.
"I have never in my life, as God as my witness, stolen anything whatsoever from my mom," said Andrew Rule.
Investigators were tipped off about the charges of financial exploitation last month when her son-in-law emailed the King County Prosecutor's office.
Court documents also show that when some checks were overdrawn, one of Ann Rule's caregivers helped her download a Key Bank app, where she has an account. Through the app she was able to find that her checks were being forged.
According to prosecutors, "Andy would pester and bully Ann relentlessly for money, sometimes, threatening suicide, sometimes trying to make her feel guilty, sometimes screaming obscenities at her, until she would finally give in and write him a check."
We asked Andrew Rule, "Did you steal money or harass your mom for money?"
He replied, "Absolutely not. Absolutely not."
When we asked about all of the allegations he said, "Basically I used to have a gambling problem but I don't anymore and I have absolutely no idea why I was pulled in at the same time my brother was."
No one came to the door at Michael Rule's house when we tried to ask him about the forgery allegations.
Ann Rule is a true crime writer best known for "The Stranger Beside Me," about serial killer Ted Bundy, as well as her book about child murder Diane Downs, "Small Sacrifices."
Ann Rule did not want to comment for this story.
Michael and Andrew Rule are out of jail on personal recognizance. However, prosecutors filed a restraining order against them to stay away from Ann Rule.
They will be arraigned on April 30th.
Famed true crime writer Ann Rule victim of theft
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