LAKE PARK, Minn.  — The mayor of a small community in northwestern Minnesota is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his sister, who has Down syndrome and is a resident of an assisted-living facility.

Aaron Wittnebel is charged in Becker County with financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and failure to provide care. The 32-year-old mayor is his sister’s guardian and conservator of her estate.

The Divine House in Detroit Lakes notified county officials in 2012 that Wittnebel was more than $6,000 behind in payment for his sister’s care. At a hearing to replace Wittnebel as conservator, the mayor admitted he had not made regular payments to the Divine House, combined his finances with his sister’s and had about $100 left in the account.

The mayor’s attorney, Joe Irby, tells The Forum that Wittnebel denies any wrongdoing.