Hancock County probate judge held in contempt for 4th time

by Sabrina Martin 

Hancock County’s probate judge faced his fourth contempt order on Tuesday, risking a 90-day jail sentence, after failing again to pay child support to his ex-wife.Report Ad

William Blaisdell IV was given until 6 p.m. April 28 to pay $8,396 to his ex-wife in overdue child support payments. If he paid the full amount, Blaisdell could forego jail time, according to the Waldo County District Court contempt order.

Blaisdell, who has been representing himself in his divorce, paid $8,396 by Tuesday evening’s deadline to forgo jail time, according to Christopher MacLean, the lawyer for Blaisdell’s ex-wife.

He did not, however, pay an additional $8,304 in fines and attorney fees, MacLean said. Because those payments related to more recent court orders and not the $8,396 he already owed, Blaisdell couldn’t be jailed Tuesday for failing to pay them, though he could end up facing yet another contempt order because of it, MacLean said. 

Maine District Judge John Martin said the contempt order will remain in effect until June 30, 2029, noting Blaisdell’s “ongoing pattern of willful disobedience of court orders,” according to court documents. Blaisdell’s divorce is being handled in Waldo County because of his connections with the legal and justice system in Hancock County, where he has long had his own law practice.

Blaisdell, who faced an arrest warrant last month after he missed a contempt hearing, turned himself in at the Hancock County jail in mid-March. He was later released after posting $16,929 bail — the amount of child support he owed at the time.

“His selective payment of obligations, while ignoring court-ordered support, demonstrates an intentional prioritization of his own preferences over his legal obligations,” the April 28 contempt order says. “This conduct constitutes not mere neglect, but a knowing and ongoing defiance of the Court’s orders.”

Blaisdell is still listed on Hancock County’s official website as the county’s elected probate judge, though he’s been suspended both from practicing law and from serving on the bench. In his absence, Hancock County’s probate cases have been overseen by other part-time judges from nearby counties.

He has faced four contempt orders stemming from his 2019 divorce.

In early April, a Waldo County judge found that Blaisdell perjured himself during sworn testimony about his finances. Blaisdell testified in October 2025 that his depleted brokerage accounts left him unable to pay child support, though his financial statements later showed he had more than $510,000 in savings.

Waldo County’s top prosecutor Natasha Irving said earlier this month her office was at the “very beginning stages” of reviewing the case. If Blaisdell is charged and then convicted of criminal perjury, he could face up to 5 years of incarceration and a $5,000 fine.

Full Article & Source:
Hancock County probate judge held in contempt for 4th time 

See Also:
Waldo County Prosecutor Considers Charging Hancock County Probate Judge with Perjury

Hancock County probate judge suspended from the bench a 2nd time

Hancock County probate judge could again be suspended from practicing law  

Brian Wilson's Conservators Need His Kids' Blessings For Health Decisions

by Afouda Bamidele

Brian Wilson's conservators will not be taking any major life decisions behind his kids!

The court has ordered his conservators to run any healthcare-related decisions by his children for authorization as the Beach Boys member battles dementia.

Brian Wilson's family filed a petition to place the legend under a conservatorship following his wife Melinda Ledbetter's death in January.

Brian Wilson's Children Must Be Carried Along On Health Updates

MEGA

The judge has charged all the singer's children (who wished) to be added to the text group with his nurses for essential updates on Wilson's health. The kids are now crucial to the singer's health decisions.

The court documents also ordered his two conservators, Jean Sievers and LeeAnn Hard, to file additional paperwork on Wilson's care plan within the next 60 days.

Sievers and Hard were nominated by Wilson's family to take over control of his affairs in February, especially after Ledbetter's passing.

On the choice of Sievers and Hard, the family noted the decision was made to avoid any "extreme changes to the household." Essentially, they didn't want Brain and his children's living situation to change.

His family added that the singer will continue to enjoy the love and presence of his loved ones. Wilson will also get to participate in any activities of his choice.

An L.A. judge authorized the family's petition to place the singer under a conservatorship. The court also allowed the two women to consent for the conservatee to receive medical treatment, per In Touch.

Inside Wilson's Court-Ordered Conservatorship

The conservators disclosed that Brian is currently under 24-hour care inside his expansive $9 million, six-bedroom, seven-bathroom, 9,353 square-foot Beverly Hills home.

Sievers and Hard shared that the singer is monitored round the clock by a nurse with well-prepared meals and proper medication administration by experts.

"[Brian] has three full-time caregivers living at his house. The caregivers have been working for [Brian] for many years, well before the commencement of these conservatorship proceedings," the court documents showed.

The filing continued that the "Conservators have also hired 3 nurses to assist Brian at his house. The three nurses have rotating schedules such that there is always a nurse at the house to care for [Brian]. With these measures in place, there is no plan or need for [Brian] to live anywhere other than his personal residence."

The 'I Get Around' Singer's Lawyer Spoke On His Living Condition

A court-appointed lawyer detailed his thoughts on the singer's living situation, noting that he was living well.

He confirmed that Wilson lived in his "impeccably well-maintained residence in Beverly Hills, California" with his "two kids, a long-term live-in caregiver, as well as other caregivers that assist him with his daily activities."

The lawyer noted that Wilson used a walker to get around the house. But, the 82-year-old received help from one of his caretakers, who helped him get in and out of the walker. Wilson's lawyer lauded his performance despite dementia, saying:

"[Brian] was "well oriented as to person, place and time, acknowledging and responding to his name, providing me with his date of birth, the time of day, and the current date."

However, he stated that Wilson was unable to provide his kids' names other than the names of the two daughters who lived in his house.

Brian Wilson's Minor Children Also Got Guardians

In May, The Blast reported that Hard also filed a request for guardianship for Wilson's minor children. She nominated a longtime friend of Wilson.

Hard stated that she and Ramos were the right fit for guardianship, as it tallied with their nominations for the role in Brian and Melinda's wills.

Both women also shared a strong bond with the children, namely Dash Tristan Wilson and Dakota Rose Wilson, who gave their blessings to the guardianship.

Brian was obviously not considered for his kids' guardianship due to his medical condition, as Hard explained that his youngest kids require "official care, custody, and control" to ensure they are well taken care of.

The Record Producer's Daughters Admired His Strength Amid Dementia

Wilson's children have shown support in many ways than one since his health battle began. Back in May, his daughters Carnie and Wendy spoke highly of him in an interview.

The Blast shared that the legend was diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder earlier in the year, and Wendy noted that he was doing really good under his current circumstances. Wendy admired her father's resilience and strength, describing him as "very tough, a very strong person."

Her sister Carnie also shared the same sentiment and declared that Wilson "is doing great! He is doing great. Everyday he is in physical therapy. I'm cooking for him, he's spending a lot of time with his children now, his family."  

Full Article & Source:
Brian Wilson's Conservators Need His Kids' Blessings For Health Decisions 

See Also:
Beach Boys' Brian Wilson placed in conservatorship following dementia diagnosis

Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson Unable to Remember Children’s Names, ‘Mostly Difficult to Understand,’ Lawyer Reveals Ahead of Conservatorship Hearing  

Woman guilty of elder abuse at J & M Happy Guest Home gets home detention, probation

By Dana Williams

Maria Delgado appears in court for the first time since felony elder abuse charges were announced. Sep. 17, 2025.

The former owner of a San Diego residential care facility who pleaded guilty to elder abuse charges related to neglect of the business's residents was sentenced Tuesday to one year of home detention and two years of probation.

Maria Erolina Delgado, 62, was charged last year by the California Attorney General's Office for leaving the facility, J & M Happy Guest Home, "severely understaffed," prosecutors said, resulting in multiple residents suffering from bed sores, dehydration and malnourishment.

Residential-care facility owner pleads not guilty in felony elder abuse case

The AG's Office also alleged some residents were left in soiled diapers for days at a time.

Delgado pleaded guilty earlier this year to two felony elder abuse counts.

The criminal complaint, which was filed last year, charges Delgado with two felony and two misdemeanor counts of elder abuse involving four different residents, including Marcia Braun. 

The criminal complaint, filed earlier this month, charges her with two felony and two misdemeanor counts of elder abuse involving four different residents, including Marcia Braun. 

A photo of Marcia Braun, one of the victims named in the criminal complaint. The photo was shared by her son, Andrew Braun.

NBC 7 spoke with Braun’s son, Andrew Braun, in September 2025. He said his mother began staying in the home in 2020 after being diagnosed with dementia. He had been her caretaker for some time, but when it grew too difficult, he found J & M. 

“The care seemed to be good," Andrew said. "She seemed to be all right, you know? There was one incident —she got a black eye. I think they told me she was getting up, wandering and slipped on the tile floor.” 

“They have everybody set up in a room," Andrew said. "It’s usually one person per room — might have been two, depending on what they were doing. They fed them, they cleaned them, they were pretty much bedridden though, you know?"

Andrew was unaware of the charges at the time but said he was “not surprised,” in general, and that you have to “believe everybody” is doing the right thing. Marcia was eventually moved to a facility in Vista, her son said. 

All the conduct at J & M Happy Guest Home allegedly occurred in 2020, according to the complaint. Delgado could have been sentenced to four years in prison on the felonies and another year for the misdemeanors

Full Article & Source:
Woman guilty of elder abuse at J & M Happy Guest Home gets home detention, probation

Bookkeeper for Nonprofit Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing More Than $79,000 from Incapacitated Senior Citizens

Press Release — April 28, 2026

For nearly a year, Walters carried out a scheme to defraud mentally incapacitated elderly adults by stealing money from their personal bank accounts for her own benefit.

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INDIANAPOLIS – Brenda Denise Walters, 57, of Nappanee, Indiana, has been sentenced to 22 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to ten counts of wire fraud.

According to court documents, in August 2023, Walters was hired by Organization A, a nonprofit that provides programs and services for elderly adults, to serve as a part-time bookkeeper for its Guardianship Program.

The Guardianship Program acts as a court‑appointed legal guardian for incapacitated adults and is responsible for managing the finances of individuals who are unable to manage their own affairs. As bookkeeper, Walters oversaw the financial accounts of approximately twenty‑three program clients. Her duties included taking control of client accounts, paying their bills, and responsibly managing their funds.

For nearly a year, Walters carried out a scheme to defraud mentally incapacitated elderly adults by stealing money from their personal bank accounts for her own benefit.

As part of the scheme, Walters transferred funds from client accounts into bank and credit card accounts she controlled, or used client accounts to pay her personal expenses, including paying her electric and insurance bills, buying clothes, hosting parties, and taking expensive vacations to New York City, Florida, and Pigeon Forge.

To conceal her theft, Walters created falsified bank statements that hid transfers to her personal accounts and fabricated documents to support fraudulent charges. In one instance, she created a fake United Healthcare bill for a client to disguise a transfer she made to her Apple Card. In another, she wrote a check from a client’s account to her mother, falsely labeling it “plumbing,” then deposited the funds into an account she controlled and altered the bank statement to remove evidence of the check entirely.

In total, Walters stole approximately $79,000 from at least six Guardianship Program clients.

“Brenda Walters preyed exclusively on some of the most vulnerable members of our society—elderly Hoosiers who could no longer manage their own finances and entrusted her to safeguard their life savings,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Her conduct was not a momentary lapse in judgment but a calculated scheme to enrich herself at the expense of people who had no ability to defend themselves. This office will continue to pursue justice for victims who are targeted because of their age, incapacity, or dependence on others.”

Photo by Emiliano Bar on Unsplash

“Financial exploitation of vulnerable seniors is deeply reprehensible, and this case underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability – particularly when the offender is in a position of trust,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI remains committed to identifying and prosecuting those who exploit that trust for personal gain, and ensuring they are held fully accountable.”

FBI Indianapolis’ Financial Crimes Task Force in collaboration with the Carmel Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II.

U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman, who prosecuted this case.

Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is aged 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available from the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. [ET]. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website.

Full Article & Source:
Bookkeeper for Nonprofit Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing More Than $79,000 from Incapacitated Senior Citizens 

See Also:
Former Hamilton County nonprofit bookkeeper to see prison time for stealing $79K 

Nonprofit bookkeeper who stole $79,000 from senior citizen clients gets 22 months in prison

New calls for elder abuse accountability after Mesa assisted living settlement

Story by Jason Barry

MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — The owners of Heritage Village Assisted Living facility have been permanently banned from operating healthcare facilities in Arizona.

As part of the settlement with the Arizona Attorney Generals’ Office they also must pay a $100,000 fine.

Arizona AG Kris Mayes announced the settlement last month with the California-based company following allegations of elder abuse and fraud at the Mesa facility. The agreement prohibits the owners from providing healthcare services to vulnerable adults in Arizona.

The case began after multiple reports in 2023 and 2024 exposed issues at Heritage Village that led to a state investigation and lawsuit. Families reported incidents of mistreatment and abuse of residents at the facility.

Family says settlement is insufficient

Renee Caruss said her mother, Carol, was among the residents who were mistreated at Heritage Village. In one incident, Carol was reportedly attacked by another patient.

“You expect with all the money they get that she would be taken care of properly - she wasn’t - she wasn’t taken care of,” Caruss said.

She believes the settlement does not provide enough accountability for what happened at the facility.

“The people that were running that facility knew exactly what they were doing the person the director at the time she’s working at another facility right now,” Caruss said.

Attorney General defends actions

The Attorney General’s office said its priority was protecting Heritage Village residents and preventing similar issues at other long-term care centers.

“Protecting Arizona’s most vulnerable residents has been one of my top priorities since taking office,” Mayes said in a statement. “In the Heritage Village case alone, we seized control of the facility, replaced its management, forced the sale to responsible ownership, and removed the prior owners from operating two other Arizona facilities.”

The Attorney General’s office noted that when Heritage Village faced foreclosure and potential license revocation, their intervention prevented mass displacement of elderly residents.

Legislative changes follow case

Dana Kennedy, state director of AARP Arizona, said the Heritage Village case led to important legislation that better protects vulnerable adults.

The changes include stiffer penalties on care facilities, with fines increased from $500 per day to $1,000 per day per resident per infraction. The legislation also increased training for memory care, added hiring restrictions for caregivers accused of abuse or neglect, and expanded oversight.

“One important thing is it closed a licensing loophole so it prevents bad actors from evading oversight and it doesn’t allow DHS they cant transfer license to another person it holds them accountable,” Kennedy said.

Case continues against other defendants

The case remains active against several other defendants despite the state settlement. An attorney for one of the victims said that families are unlikely to receive money in civil cases they have filed.

The former manager of Heritage Village can still work in the industry, but her license has been revoked, and she will never again be able to manage a long-term care center.

Attorney Jennifer Wasserman represents the former owners who reached the settlement.

“This agreement ends strongly-contested claims without any admission of wrongdoing,” Wasserman said. “Regardless of the Attorney General’s self-serving statements in their press release on this topic, the health and safety of the employees and residents at Heritage Village have always been a high priority to the defendants.”

Gary Langendoen, representing the defendants, said they disputed the validity of the Attorney General’s claims.

“We have always disputed the validity of the Attorney General’s claims, particularly after some of the assertions stated in their press releases were proven to be false based on incomplete and inaccurate information from the receiver’s office,” Langendoen said. “Putting this litigation behind us allows these defendants, the dedicated employees and valued residents to move forward.” 

Full Article & Source:
New calls for elder abuse accountability after Mesa assisted living settlement 

North Carolina man accused of pretending to be FBI agent in $16k elder exploitation scam

by: Rodney Overton

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WNCN) — A Cary man claimed he was an FBI agent as he swindled $16,000 from a North Carolina man in a case of elder exploitation, according to an arrest warrant from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation

After a month-long investigation, Christopher Aaron Murray, 40, of Cary, was arrested Sunday at the main airport in Charlotte, according to an NC SBI news release Sunday

Authorities said the suspect targeted an eastern North Carolina family and there “may be additional victims.”

“The scam involved a suspect contacting victims and falsely claiming their bank account had been compromised, then demanding payment to resolve the issue,” the SBI said in the release.

SBI officials said the Jones County Sheriff’s Office sought help in the matter on March 18.

The arrest warrant said the suspect claimed he was “FBI Special Agent Brian Blauser” and also pretended to be “a Wells Fargo agent.” A real FBI agent named Brian Blauser appears to exist in Denver, Colorado, as a “complex financial crimes squad.”

Under one charge, the warrant said Murray committed the crime of “exploitation of elder” to take control of the money from a Jones County man.

SBI officials said Murray, arrested at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, was charged with:

• felony conspiracy
• felony obtaining property by false pretenses
• felony exploitation of a disabled or elderly person in a position of trust
• impersonating a law enforcement officer

The news release said anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by the suspect should contact the Jones County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 448-0035 or the SBI’s coastal district office.

Murry is being held in the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. He has a first court appearance scheduled for Monday in Mecklenburg County District Court. 

Full Article & Source:
North Carolina man accused of pretending to be FBI agent in $16k elder exploitation scam 

A personal assistant stole $10M from her wealthy employers, spending it on Gucci, Cartier and credit card debt. How to spot elder financial abuse

Story by Monique Danao

Catalina Corona, a personal assistant to an elderly couple in New York admitted to stealing $10 million from her employers, according to CNBC (1). This case of fraud and elder abuse against Richard Schmeelk —a retired Salomon Brothers investment banker — and his wife, Priscilla, went undetected for seven years. 

Personal assistant steals $10 million

Prosecutors say that Corona used fraudulent checks, unauthorized transfers and impersonation tactics to siphon money from the Schmeelks' accounts between 2017 and 2024.

Even after Richard Schmeelk died in 2022 at age 97, the fraud continued.

The stolen funds were used to finance a luxury lifestyle, including purchases from Gucci, Cartier and Louis Vuitton, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit card payments.

The scheme only came to light when a bank flagged a suspicious $1,500 check in 2024, which raises questions about how long the fraud might have continued if not for that intervention.

Corona now faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison. 

A growing, yet hidden problem

Cases like this are not isolated. According to the FBI, elder fraud led to nearly $5 billion (2) in reported losses in 2024, with more than 147,000 complaints filed.

The actual number is likely much higher, since many victims never report abuse — whether because they're unaware it's happening, feel embarrassed or depend on the person exploiting them.

These cases are especially troubling because of the role of trust. Financial abuse often isn't carried out by strangers, but by people already inside the victim's circle, such as caregivers, assistants, relatives or advisors.

Once that trust is established, it can be difficult to detect when something goes wrong.

How financial abuse happens

In this case, prosecutors allege Corona wrote hundreds of checks to herself, transferred funds into her own accounts and continued the fraud even after Richard Schmeelk died.

Elderly financial abuse can be difficult to detect, especially when it unfolds gradually. Warning signs include unusual financial activity, such as sudden withdrawals, large transfers or unexplained purchases that don't match typical spending habits.

Other red flags include changes in banking behaviour — such as new authorized signers or unexpected shifts in account access — as well as missing documents, unpaid bills or confusion about finances.

Caregivers who display unexplained wealth can also signal potential abuse. You can also watch out for individuals who have become withdrawn or defensive when discussing money.

How to protect yourself and loved ones

While no system is foolproof, there are steps elderly individuals and families can take to reduce the risk of financial abuse:

1. Review finances: A good tip is to review your bank and credit card statements on a regular basis. Make sure to set up alerts for unusual activity or large transactions.

2. Separate financial responsibilities: Avoid giving one person complete control over finances. Use checks and balances, such as requiring dual authorization for large transactions.

3. Use professional oversight: Involve a trusted financial advisor, accountant or lawyer who can provide independent oversight.

4. Limit access where possible: Grant only the level of access necessary. For example, a caregiver may need to pay bills — but not transfer funds or write checks.

5. Stay connected: Isolation increases vulnerability. Elderly individuals should have regular check-ins with family or friends who can review and monitor their financial accounts.

6. Act quickly: If you notice suspicious activity, contact the bank immediately, document the issue and report it to local authorities or relevant fraud agencies.

This particular case shows that even individuals with decades of financial experience can become victims when safeguards aren't in place.

Financial abuse often thrives in silence and builds gradually until the damage is significant.

The takeaway is to remain vigilant.

In many cases, the difference between catching fraud early and discovering it years later comes down to one thing: paying attention to the small signs before they become big losses. 

Full Article & Source:
A personal assistant stole $10M from her wealthy employers, spending it on Gucci, Cartier and credit card debt. How to spot elder financial abuse 

Elder abuse sentencing

A Mira Mesa woman was sentenced after pleading guilty in an elder abuse case involving a residential care facility.

Source:
Elder abuse sentencing 

Fort Worth woman opens up about ongoing elderly exploitation investigation: "I thought he was helping me"

by Marvin Hurst

An investigation that the Fort Worth Police Department said began as a stolen vehicle parts case has now expanded, as an elderly woman shares her story with CBS News Texas.

The department shared on Thursday that it was asking for help identifying potential victims of financial exploitation tied to 24-year-old Cartaveion Demarcus Holmon, also known by the nickname "Tank". Fort Worth Police believe Holmon may have used deceptive sales practices related to residential solar panel services and vehicle transactions, including allegedly placing cars in victims' names without their full knowledge or consent.

"I thought he was helping me"

The woman CBS News Texas spoke to wished to only be identified as Kathy. She agreed to discuss her near financial ruin in exchange for not using her last name.

"Altogether, they took me from, including the house, I'd say they took me over for like $150,000," Kathy said.

Kathy and her husband, a Vietnam veteran, bought solar panels for their home. Kathy is a retired dishwasher and lives with a learning disability. She said the investment into the panels was about $60,000.

But the panels never worked. Instead, Kathy said the sales representative brought on Holman, the owner of Holmon's Solar LLC, to try to resolve her issue. Kathy said Holmon didn't fix it.

"I had lost all my food and stuff over there," she said, "so Tank came and said that he can switch and try to fix the situation. Instead, that wasn't the case."

Kathy said Holman told her she had made multiple payments of $1,500 to the sales representative. Then, Kathy said, Holmon told her he supposed wanted to help her with her credit. She said she trusted him because she allowed Holman in her home.

"I thought he was helping me to get my credit straight. But that, that didn't happen," she said.

Problems pile up

Instead, Kathy said Holmon reportedly took her to four different places, supposedly to address issues with credit cards on her report. Kathy did admit she had some credit cards, but not as many as the ones she started getting bills for. She also started reportedly getting bills for other things in her name: RVs, loans, and four vehicles.

That didn't add up for Kathy; she told CBS News Texas she doesn't know how to drive.

"I tried to drive. I hit my neighbor across the street. I ran into their house," she said.

Kathy said she was heartbroken, not just because her bank account was bleeding from fraud. She also faced a lien placed on her home of 25 years, and was just $6,000 away from paying off the $51,600 home loan. The damage to her credit was so bad, Kathy said she almost couldn't find a place to live.

"They ran my credit, and it was in the red," she said. "We barely got this apartment with [her husband's] name."

Kathy is now trying to fix her credit.

Charges filed in the case

Fort Worth Police said they arrested Holmon on a charge of exploitation of the elderly. Investigators also said four victims were linked to his case already; three more have popped up since Thursday, April 23, 2026, and police believe there may be more victims. A review of Homon's Facebook page reveals that he reportedly was once a first responder and is tied to a Fort Worth church as a member of the worship team.

The department asks anyone who thinks that they may be a victim to call Detective Crain at 817-392-4414.  

CBS News Texas found that Holmon's Solar LLC still has an "A" rating with the Better Business Bureau, but was not an accredited business by the group. 

Full Article & Source:
Fort Worth woman opens up about ongoing elderly exploitation investigation: "I thought he was helping me"