Former Monroe County public administrator pleads guilty to exploiting elderly and disabled residents

by Taya White

SCOTLAND COUNTY — The former Monroe County public administrator accused of stealing from elderly and disabled residents accepted a plea deal Wednesday.

Online court records say Jessica A. Chase pleaded guilty to one count each of filing false documents, stealing $750 or more and financial exploitation of an elder or disabled person.

In 2024, Chase was charged with six counts each of forgery and financial exploitation, 12 counts of stealing and seven counts of filing false documents for allegedly stealing from the accounts of many elderly and disabled Monroe County residents during her time as public administrator. Chase was the conservator for these residents.

Chase was sentenced to serve a total of 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and to pay $12,000 in restitution to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was moved from Monroe County on a change of venue to Scotland County.   

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Former Monroe County public administrator pleads guilty to exploiting elderly and disabled residents 

Woman arrested for stealing from elderly

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Woman arrested for stealing from elderly 

These Places Banned Subminimum Wage. Here’s What Happened To Workers With Disabilities

 by Michelle Diament

Charlie McGrory, left, who has Down syndrome, and his brother Andy, who is also his job coach, bag groceries at Hy-Vee in Winona, Minn. in 2018. Charlie McGrory previously worked at a sheltered workshop, but transitioned to integrated employment as a result of a 2014 federal law that prioritizes helping people with disabilities find jobs in the community. (David Joles/Star Tribune/TNS)

More than a dozen states have moved in recent years to stop employers from paying workers with disabilities less than minimum wage. Now, it’s starting to become clear how that decision is playing out on the ground.

A first-of-its-kind analysis finds that eliminating what’s known as subminimum wage employment does not lead to a significant drop in the number of people with disabilities who are employed, the hours they work or their wages.

Within two years, subminimum wage employment fell by about 2,000 workers per state, according to findings published in the June issue of the journal Labour Economics. At the same time, income from government welfare programs declined by more than 12%.

“The biggest takeaway from our study is that the employment fears that have kept section 14(c) in place at the federal level are not supported by the national data,” said Michelle Yin, an economist at Northwestern University who led the study. “The policy does exactly what it is designed to do, that is sheltered workshop employment falls, … but workers do not disappear from the labor force. They remain employed, and by different measures, they become more economically self-sufficient.”

The study offers a new look at a practice that has persisted for nearly a century. Under a federal law dating back to 1938, employers can obtain special 14(c) certificates from the U.S. Department of Labor allowing them to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour.

Since 2015, however, 17 states have enacted legislation eliminating 14(c) certificates, according to the Association of People Supporting Employment First. The Biden administration sought to take things a step further by ending the program nationally. In 2024, the Labor Department proposed plans to stop issuing new certificates and phase out 14(c) over three years.

Now, the winds appear to be shifting. The Trump administration withdrew the Labor Department plan last year and the House Committee on Education and Workforce advanced a bill in May designed to make it easier for young adults with disabilities to enter 14(c) employment.

For the study, Yin and her colleagues looked at administrative data from the Department of Labor and the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey from 2009 to 2024 on 15 states that eliminated subminimum wage employment. Each state ended subminimum wage on a different timetable, but notably, the patterns the researchers observed were remarkably similar across states no matter their size or political leanings.

However, Yin admits that the outcomes aren’t entirely rosy for everyone.

“The aggregate results likely reflect two groups moving in different directions,” she said. “Workers with higher productivity and more labor market experience appear to find competitive employment. Workers with the most significant disabilities and the least experience outside sheltered settings may exit employment rather than transition. The averages look encouraging, but averages can mask who gets left behind.”

That’s where the approach a particular state took matters, Yin said. In states that prioritized supported employment, job coaching and vocational rehabilitation alongside eliminating subminimum wage, individuals were more like to transition to new employment, while states that neglected to build such infrastructure left some workers without appropriate options.

Still, Yin says the findings broadly support moving away from subminimum wage.

“The feared employment collapse has not materialized in any of the 15 states we studied,” she said. “The transition from subminimum wage to competitive employment pays for itself when the investment is in place.”

But Hugo Dwyer, executive director of VOR, which supports the availability of subminimum wage employment, said the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

“We need to somehow look at the human side, and measure satisfaction and the opportunity for personal growth,” he said, adding that it’s important for individuals with disabilities to have choices.

“No one has to work in a sheltered workshop if they don’t want to,” Dwyer noted. “But they are right for a certain cohort of individuals who have a combination of skills that exceed those exercised in day programs and challenges that make it difficult for even the most patient employer to accommodate them.” 

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These Places Banned Subminimum Wage. Here’s What Happened To Workers With Disabilities

Mistreatment and Abuse by Guardians and Other Fiduciaries

• What is abuse by guardians?
• How can the courts with jurisdiction over guardianship cases respond to abuse?
• Besides courts with guardianship jurisdiction, who can address abuse by guardians?
• What is power of attorney abuse?
• What are the remedies to address power of attorney abuse after it occurs?
• What do we know about abuse by government fiduciaries?

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What is abuse by guardians?

While courts make efforts to ensure that guardians are trustworthy, some guardians have taken advantage of people in their care. The mistreatment could be financial, physical, emotional/psychological or any other type of abuse of an older person or person with a disability. Guardians also may neglect the people for whom they have a responsibility to provide care. These perpetrators of abuse can be anyone serving as a guardian (family members, trusted others, non-profits, professional guardians, agencies).

There is currently limited information on the number of guardianship cases involving abuse. The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging and the U.S. Government Accountability Office have highlighted the problem and cited anecdotal information. The National Center for State Courts has found that most reports on the problem of exploitation by guardians lack empirical data. Reports of fraud or other malfeasance by guardians have most often involved financial exploitation, but other types of mistreatment are also reported. Abusive acts by guardians may meet the definitions for various state and federal crimes, depending on the facts of the case. Guardians might be charged with such crimes as elder abuse, embezzlement, larceny, money laundering, theft, and neglect.

For an explanation of how guardianship can be a vehicle for abuse as well as a remedy, see the National Center on Elder Abuse issue brief, Guardianship: Remedy vs. Enabler of Elder Abuse.

To learn about how to spot mistreatment by a guardian and what to do about it, see the National Center on Elder Abuse flyer, What if Your Guardian is Not Doing What They Should?

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How can the courts with jurisdiction over guardianship cases respond to abuse?

A court with jurisdiction over a guardianship case might uncover evidence of abuse through monitoring, or a person or government agency might need to file a complaint or petition the court to respond to the mistreatment. These courts can take the following types of actions:

• Freeze assets and/or restrict accounts – Courts may take these actions to limit a guardian’s access to money and property while investigating a case or preparing to take another protective step.
• Investigate allegations of malfeasance – Once allegations of abuse have been made, courts can appoint a guardian ad litem, investigator or visitor to investigate.  A court can also audit an individual’s assets or order an accounting by an external entity such as a certified public accountant.
• Order repayment for lost assets or property – Such orders might restore lost assets but, in many cases, the only way to recover funds is through a bond that the guardian obtained upon appointment. Sometimes courts do not require bonding when the guardian is appointed, making it more difficult to obtain repayment for losses at the hands of the guardian.
• Enforce statutory rights to communication and visitation – When abusive guardians use isolation tactics, family members and others may be able to seek orders enforcing state laws that define the rights of people subject to guardianship to interact with others of their choosing.
• Appoint a co-guardian or limit the powers of the guardian – This strategy may help deter or stop mistreatment by a guardian.
• Remove the guardian – Removal may be the best way to stop guardian malfeasance, and petitioners might suggest a willing and suitable replacement.
• Terminate the guardianship – Less restrictive options or changed circumstances might lead a court to terminate the guardianship entirely.

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Besides courts with guardianship jurisdiction, who can address abuse by guardians?

Numerous federal, state, and local government entities and non-profit agencies can respond and provide services when someone suspects that a guardian is mistreating an individual. Although the court has the sole power to impose certain orders such as removing the guardian or surcharging bonds, other entities can get involved and assist victims. These include:

• Adult protective services – Anyone suspecting mistreatment by a guardian should report to adult protective services. Find your state or local adult protective services agency through the Eldercare Locator. Most states have laws making certain categories of people mandatory reporters of elder or vulnerable adult abuse.
• Protection and advocacy systems – Protection and Advocacy Systems are federally-mandated state-based organizations that work to protect the rights of people with disabilities, including guarding against abuse. Find your protection and advocacy agency here.
• Long-term care ombudsmen – If the individual resides in a nursing home (or, in some states, receives home- and community-based services), the long-term care ombudsman can investigate and resolve complaints about abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including complaints about guardians. Anyone can file a complaint, but the resident (or an appropriate representative) must consent in order for the ombudsman to investigate and share information. Learn about the ombudsman program here and find your local ombudsman.
• Law enforcement – A guardian’s breach of duty may violate criminal laws and warrant investigation and prosecution. In addition to reporting to Adult Protective Services, individuals suspecting guardian abuse should report it to law enforcement.  Contact your local law enforcement agency, your state attorney general, or call 911. Some recent examples of guardianship fraud cases pursued by the United States Department of Justice include cases in Pennsylvania and Florida.
• Attorneys – Separate from the guardianship system, there are various civil actions that may apply to abuse by guardians. Depending on state law, civil attorneys might bring cases alleging breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, fraud, undue influence or a private right of action for elder abuse. Remedies might include restitution (repaying money lost), voiding documents including deeds, or other monetary awards of damages.
• Federal agencies – If the guardian also serves as a Social Security representative payee or VA fiduciary and is misusing public benefits, individuals may report to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General or the VA Office of the Inspector General.
• Professional licensing boards – In some states, professional guardians may be certified, licensed or registered. State boards can investigate and may revoke a license or certification. If the guardian is a lawyer, the state has a committee that takes disciplinary action when a lawyer violates professional responsibilities.

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What is power of attorney abuse?

Powers of attorney give a trusted person (the agent) a great deal of authority and access to money and property, without regular oversight. Power of attorney abuse can take many forms. The agent might spend the individual’s money on items for his or her own use rather than for the individual’s needs. The agent might do things that the document doesn’t allow, such as making gifts when that power hasn’t been granted. The power of attorney document itself might be forged or fraudulent in some other way.

State laws may help to prevent or limit power of attorney abuse. For example, the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, adopted in over half the states, permits a third party such as a bank to refuse to honor a POA when the abuse is suspected, and the third party reports it to an adult protective services agency. 

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What are the remedies to address power of attorney abuse after it occurs?

Lawyers may help people to stop power of attorney abuse and to get money back that has been improperly taken by the agent. For example, a lawyer could:

• Draft a document to revoke (cancel) the POA
• Ask a court to require the agent to file an accounting to see how the agent has spent the money
• File a civil action to cancel contracts or deeds that the agent should not have made
• File a civil action to recoup money
• Petition a court to appoint a guardian who can manage the finances if the individual is unable to manage money independently

In addition, agents under a POA may be prosecuted for abusing a power of attorney. Depending on state criminal law, power of attorney abuse might be theft, fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, exploitation or another financial crime. Through the criminal court process, a prosecutor could ask the court to freeze the individual assets to prevent further abuse and could also seek restitution (repayment of money taken).

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What do we know about abuse by government fiduciaries?

Reports from the Social Security Advisory Board, the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, the Government Accountability Office, the National Academy of Sciences and other government and quasi-governmental entities over the past fifteen years have documented abuse by both individual and organizational representative payees. These incidents have prompted removal of payees from the program and, in some cases, criminal prosecution. The Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs also has investigated and substantiated allegations of abuse by VA fiduciaries.

Updated June 9, 2026 

Source:
Mistreatment and Abuse by Guardians and Other Fiduciaries 

Amanda Bynes Speaks Out About Her 'Controversial' Conservatorship

Amanda Bynes took to social media to air her grievances about the costs of her medical treatment and said she wants to speak to a judge about the terms of her conservatorship. The former child star said she's "been going to a treatment center that charges $5,200 a month" and there's "no reason why I shouldn't go to a therapist who takes my insurance for $5,000 less a month." Amanda then apologized to fans for talking about her case on social media "but this is what life has come to." 

 Note:  Termination: A California judge officially terminated the 9-year conservatorship in March 2022.  This video is a reminder of her situation and reaction to it.

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Amanda Bynes Speaks Out About Her 'Controversial' Conservatorship 

Ogle County woman arrested and charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person

 The Ogle County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman following a financial crimes investigation.

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Ogle County woman arrested and charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person 

Elderly couple accused of assault during property line dispute

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Elderly couple accused of assault during property line dispute 

Concord: Nursing Assistant Arrested and Charged for Alleged Sexual Abuse of an Elderly Resident

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrest and filing of felony charges against a certified nursing assistant for the alleged sexual abuse of an 86-year-old resident with diminished capacity at Concord Post Acute, a skilled nursing facility in Concord.

Note – suspect identified as Arian Mojaddidi according to the filing

“Caregivers are entrusted with attending to and caring for people in a vulnerable, and often, incapacitated state,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Sexual abuse is absolutely intolerable and sexually abusing a compromised individual while in a position of power over them is all the more deplorable. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to fight against any form of sexual misconduct and elder abuse.”

The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse (DMFEA) received a referral from the California Department of Public Health regarding the inappropriate contact at Concord Post Acute. A felony complaint has been filed in Contra Costa County Superior Court, charging the nursing assistant with a lewd act by a caretaker upon a dependent adult. DMFEA is a division within the California Department of Justice whose mission is to protect the public and the state’s Medi-Cal program from those who defraud taxpayers and divert state health care resources. The investigation was made possible through the collaboration of government agencies and those who reported incidences of Medi-Cal fraud or elder abuse. If you suspect Medi-Cal fraud or elder abuse, please report it at https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting.

DMFEA receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $77,652,892 for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026.  The remaining 25 percent, totaling $25,884,297 for FFY 2026, is funded by the California Attorney General’s Office. FFY 2026 is from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

It is important to note that criminal charges must be proven in a court of law. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Here is a copy of the complaint. 

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Concord: Nursing Assistant Arrested and Charged for Alleged Sexual Abuse of an Elderly Resident 

Board fines nursing home administrator for failing to report assault conviction

Administrator was arrested after an incident at a Minnesota care facility 

By Clark Kauffman 

An Iowa nursing home administrator has been fined by state regulators for failing to report a 2019 criminal conviction to licensing authorities.

The Iowa Board of Nursing Home Administrators recently charged administrator Brian Douglas Reindl with failure to notify the board within 30 days of a criminal conviction. According to the board, Reindl was working in both Iowa and Minnesota care facilities when the offense occurred seven years ago.

The board has not disclosed the nature of the criminal offense, other than to say that on Oct. 11, 2019, it resulted in a conviction for an unspecified misdemeanor offense in Minnesota.

Minnesota state records indicate that on July 2, 2019, sheriff’s deputies responded to a complaint at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, Minnesota.  Reindl, the facility’s administrator at the time, had allegedly entered the office of the director of nursing while she was on break and refused to leave after being asked to do so.

The director of nursing alleged that when she attempted to leave the office, Reindl used his body to hold the door shut and only allowed her to leave after she indicated she was going to call the police. She alleged that she then entered the office of a third employee, locked the door, and called board members for the facility.

Reindl was charged with one count of misdemeanor harassment and one count of misdemeanor assault in the fifth degree, and a no-contact order was issued in the case.

According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing Home Administrators, Reindl’s employment at the home ended the next day, and he later pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing fear and was placed on probation for one year. Several months later, in 2020, the Minnesota board issued an order of corrective action against Reindl, requiring him to complete six hours of educational training on professional conduct.

The Iowa Board of Nursing Home Administrators recently agreed to settle its case against Reindl with a $500 civil penalty and a requirement that he complete three hours of educational training on ethics.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch was not able to reach Reindl for comment. 

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Board fines nursing home administrator for failing to report assault conviction