Bonnie Gaye Sundance

A 67-year-old Nederland woman accused of stealing money from the 98-year-old blind man who employed her as a secretary has been charged with 14 counts of felony theft from an at-risk adult.

Bonnie Gaye Sundance surrendered to authorities on Aug. 22 after Boulder detectives had a warrant issued for her arrest, according to Boulder County District Court documents.

The arrest affidavit states that Sundance worked for a man living at the Frasier Meadows Assisted Living Center in Boulder between June 2000 and October 2007.

During that time, prosecutors say, Sundance gave herself several unauthorized raises, paid vacation days and overpayments totaling more than $8,000.

Included in that amount was the use of $1,250 of the man's 2005 federal income-tax refund Sundance used to payher own taxes in 2005 and 2006, according to the affidavit.

In an interview with detectives, the man's daughter said she believed Sundance took advantage of her father's age and visual impairment.

"Because of his blindness, he must rely on the honesty of the person who prepared the document because he cannot read what he is signing," the woman told investigators.

Reached by phone Thursday, Sundance said she did not want to discuss the case because the story would have "a major impact on the community."

"I am innocent," she said.

An attorney from the Boulder Public Defender's Office assigned to represent Sundance did not return calls Thursday, and a spokeswoman for the Boulder District Attorney's Office declined to comment about the case.

Boulder police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley said detectives are still investigating and that additional charges are possible.

Sundance is the executive director of Our Sacred Earth in Boulder.

According to records filed with the Colorado Secretary of State's office, Sundance founded the group in May 2006. The office is run from Sundance's Nederland home, records show.

A Web site describes the group as a nonprofit environmental and spiritual organization dedicated to, "An Earth cared for and sustained by people who live from a place of deep connection with spirit Earth."

Sundance is due in Boulder County District Court for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 18.

She is free on a $5,000 bond, according to court records.

If convicted on all 14 felony charges, Sundance could be sentenced to between 38 and 114 years in prison. She does not have a prior criminal history, according to Boulder police detectives.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Heath Urie at 303-473-1328 or urieh@dailycamera.com.