Mirror staff reports:

The wife of a wealthy Federal Way widower is accused of stealing part of the elderly man’s fortune.

Juliana Min Cratsenberg, 59, faces first-degree theft charges. She has not entered a plea and her arraignment is set for Aug. 23 at the King County Courthouse.

Prosecutors say Juliana Cratsenberg has no criminal history, according to charging documents.

The alleged theft occurred from Sept. 2009 and Jan. 2011. Andrew C. Cratsenberg, 86, is a self-made millionaire who found success in commercial and residential real estate and developments. The family business includes Cratsenberg Enterprises, formed with his sons, and Cratsenberg Properties LLC, formed with his late wife, Luetta, who died in January 2008.

According to an investigation by Federal Way police, the elder Cratsenberg had been showing signs of dementia, possibly for years, before his “unexpected wedding” to Juliana in March 2009. His sons had learned of the marriage a week later through a friend, according to police.

The investigation states that Cratsenberg’s sons took legal action to obtain a vulnerable adult protection order. The sons wanted to take over the business and cut off Juliana Cratesenberg’s access to their father’s business and bank accounts.

Before the new financial management could take effect, records show that $100,500 was withdrawn from Andrew Cratesenberg’s bank account over the next several months. Juliana admitted at trial that most of the money was lost gambling in casinos, according to the report. The report says she also withdrew more than $60,000 from a checking account and made more than $86,000 in credit card purchases. Other expenditures included a Lexus SUV and a home in Tacoma for her adult children.

In the detective’s report, Juliana Cratsenberg said the spending was done with her husband’s consent and in his presence.

Andrew Cratsenberg is confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and requires full-time care.