Sons of famed Seattle true-crime writer charged with theft

SEATTLE (AP) — Prosecutors have filed theft charges against two sons of Seattle true-crime author Ann Rule, alleging they took thousands from her.

Seattlepi.com reports first-degree theft charges Michael and Andrew Rule on Friday in King County Superior Court. Michael Rule was also charged with forgery.

Prosecutors separately accuse the sons of raiding their mother's accounts. Charging documents allege Andrew Rule continually harassed his 83-year-old mother for money above the income she provided him.

Investigators claim Michael Rule spent freely from his mother's bank accounts, overdrawing them. According to charging papers, he forged his mother's signature on numerous checks.

A message left with Michael Rule was not immediately returned Wednesday. A listed number for Andrew Rule could not be found. The prosecutor's office said it had not been notified of the men's attorneys.

Rule, who lives south of Seattle, has written dozens of best-selling books.