Houston woman accused of scamming mentor out of $176K

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston woman is accused of scamming her childhood mentor to the tune of more than $176,000, according to court documents.

Ythinisia Lacordia Taylor, 21, is charged with aggregate theft.

Authorities claim Taylor took money from her elementary school mentor, Lisa Polk, who said she agreed to pay for Taylor's college education.

Polk reportedly said Taylor claimed that she had been accepted to the University of Houston in May 2012. From then until June 2013, Polk said she transferred a total of $176,478.79 into Taylor's account for the express purpose of Taylor's education.

However, police say Polk claims she grew suspicious of Taylor after a call from her bank's fraud department concerning the money transfers. Court papers show Polk began to investigate, contacting the two schools Taylor said she had enrolled in - The University of Houston and Hamline University. Polk says the schools told her they had no record that Taylor had never enrolled nor paid tuition.

Polk reported the situation to authorities who investigated and say they found no evidence Taylor made purchases nor payments to any university or other institute of higher education, according to court documents.

Taylor's bond is set at $352,000.