MALTA – The wife of a Saratoga County supervisor was arrested on charges that she stole more than $38,000 from an elderly woman while acting as her legal guardian,Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy III said Friday.

Deborah Thompson, the wife of Milton Supervisor Frank Thompson, turned herself in Thursday at the Malta State Police barracks, Investigator Bruce MacWatters said. Police charged her with “”intentionally, knowingly and unlawfully”” stealing the savings of an 83-year-old woman and using it for dinners, merchandise and Great Escape passes, Murphy said.

Deborah Thompson was arraigned Thursday before Town Justice James Nichols and charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony. Police put the amount she allegedly stole from the woman at more than $25,000. Murphy said the figure topped $38,000.

The alleged victim lived in the Maplewood Manor nursing home in Ballston Spa and had appointed Thompson custodian over her financial affairs, Murphy said.

Asked if others could face charges in the case, Murphy said, “”I can’t comment on who specifically is being investigated, but I can tell you the investigation is continuing.””

The alleged crimes took place between Oct. 23, 2009, and Jan. 30, 2011, according to court documents filed in the Malta Town Court. Thompson, of 71 Thompson St., Ballston Spa, is free after posting $5,000 bail, police said.

Thompson befriended the elderly woman, who trusted her and asked her to guard her savings, Murphy said. The alleged victim gave Thompson control of her bank accounts to pay for the woman’s doctor bills, prescriptions and taxi rides, Murphy said.

Bankers noticed charges were being made outside the nursing home and contacted a state agency, which called police, Murphy said.

Frank Thompson serves as chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Law and Finance Committee. The Milton Republican Committee is scheduled to meet Monday to consider endorsing him for a third four-year term as supervisor. Deborah Thompson is scheduled to return to court on May 12.

“”The crimes allegedly committed by her obviously are very serious, and there will be no tolerance for someone that steals from residents of a nursing home,”” county AdministratorSpencer Hellwig said.

Murphy said he will recuse himself from the case because he works with Frank Thompson.