Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates announces charges related to theft of elders

by Tommie Clark

BALTIMORE — Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced charges for crimes involving defrauding disabled veterans and tricking people into theft schemes.

Bates said the cases are under the umbrella of the Older and Disabled Persons Unit, which he launched one year ago.

"We built this basically from scratch," Bates said.

Bates shared the update before kicking off an older adult event to connect with and hear directly from people Wednesday morning.

He went over several case indictments, including a case involving Bryan O'Neal Jones, who was charged Tuesday with 31 counts of felony theft and financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult for allegedly soliciting home improvement contracts and taking payments without completing work and without a license.

Other cases involved a similar scheme with charges against David Coleman.

"One contractor received over $100,000 from a 70-year-old disabled veteran who trusted him to do a full remodel of their home. Instead, he did some partial work, did it shoddy, did it ineffective," explained Economic Crimes Unit Chief Shari Greene.

Karen McAllister is charged with engaging in a felony theft scheme. She's charged with taking advantage of her own grandmother, who has since passed, but was in her 90s at the time.

Matthew Praglowski is charged with physically abusing his 77-year-old grandfather. Jasmine Monet is facing charges for incidents involving identity theft and credit card fraud. Wenetha Leslie is charged with financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, felony theft, conspiracy and forgery for crimes against her father.

Bates and his team said the goal is to expand the unit to keep bringing cases like these to justice.

"We want to let everyone know that when your money is at risk, we take it seriously. If there is elder abuse, we take it seriously, and we're here to help," Greene said.

To report a crime, the one-stop helpline is 844-726-6378. The dedicated email address is odpuhelp@stattorney.org.

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Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates announces charges related to theft of elders

Michael Oher 'was paid $138,000 for his rights to The Blind Side'

Story by Jack Bezants

Michael Oher was reportedly paid $138,000 for his rights to The Blind Side, according to a new court filing by the Tuohy family.

According to PEOPLE, court documents that were filed on Wednesday show that the retired NFL star was paid $138,311.01 in 16 instalments across 16 years, from 2007.

The former NFL player Oher filed a bombshell legal filing in August that claimed he received nothing from the film and that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy 'collectively received millions of dollars' while misrepresenting their conservatorship. 

Oher's attorney has been approached for comment. The film itself grossed over $300million after it came out in 2009.

The conservatorship between Oher and the Tuohy family, struck in 2004, was ended by a judge in Tennessee at the end of September.

In Tennessee, a conservatorship removes power from a person to make decisions for themselves, and it is often used in the case of a medical condition or disability.

But Oher´s conservatorship was approved 'despite the fact that he was over 18 years old and had no diagnosed physical or psychological disabilities,' his petition said.

Shelby County Probate Court Judge Kathleen Gomes said she was disturbed that such an agreement was ever reached. She said she had never seen in her 43-year career a conservatorship agreement reached with someone who was not disabled.

In August, Oher, 37, filed a petition in probate court accusing the Tuohys of lying to him by having him sign papers making them his conservators rather than his adoptive parents nearly two decades ago. Oher wanted the conservatorship to be terminated, a full accounting of the money earned off his name and story and to be paid what he is due, with interest.

He accused the couple of falsely representing themselves as his adoptive parents, saying he discovered in February the conservatorship agreed to in 2004 was not the arrangement he thought it was - and that it provided him no familial relationship to them.

Oher claims the Tuohys have kept him in the dark about financial dealings related to his name, image and likeness during the 19-year life of the agreement.

The Tuohys have called the claims they enriched themselves at his expense outlandish, hurtful and absurd and part of a 'shakedown' by Oher. 

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Michael Oher 'was paid $138,000 for his rights to The Blind Side'

See Also:
‘Blind Side’ Subject Michael Oher’s Conservatorship Comes To An End: Judge Says They “Cannot Believe It Got Done” In The First Place

Claims for $18 million in back wages for nursing home workers fail

by Kris B. Mamula

Nine bankrupt nursing homes are being sold in the Pittsburgh area free and clear of all claims, leaving 5,595 hourly workers out millions of dollars in back pay they are owed.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Carlota Bohm approved selling the for-profit nursing homes, owned by South Hills Operations LLC, to Palmyra, Pa.-based Kadima Healthcare for $53 million. The deal is expected to close by Oct. 31.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice entered a judgment in bankruptcy court for $35.8 million in back wages and penalties against South Hills Operations LLC, which filed for voluntary protection from creditors May 17 under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The amount includes nearly $18 million in back wages alone.

But the sales agreement approved by Judge Bohm Sept. 30 freed the new owners from all claims, which bankruptcy law typically allows.

Department of Justice attorney Cortney R. Robinson wrote in a court filing that the debtors were “jointly and severally liable” for the claim. She declined to comment further.

In July, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Judge William S. Stickman ruled that the nursing home owners had violated labor law by systematically shorting wages for thousands of workers at 15 area nursing homes, including the nine facilities sold to Kadima.

Previously, the U.S. Department of Labor argued that a proposed sale of the nursing homes was intended to “opportunistically offload” company assets to frustrate the government’s efforts to recover the wages owed to employees.

The nursing homes being sold are: The Grove at Greenville, Mercer County; The Grove at New Wilmington, Lawrence County; the Grove at North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County; The Grove at New Castle, Lawrence County; the Grove at Washington, Washington County; The Grove at Harmony, Butler County; The Grove at Latrobe, Westmoreland County; Cheswick Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, Allegheny County; and North Strabane Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, Washington County. The facilities have a total of 930 beds.

“The buyers and new operators shall not be liable for any claims the United States or other federal government authority may have against the debtors,” according to the sales agreement that was hammered out with the new owners. The new operators “are free of any Department of Labor claims.”

In addition to the nine facilities, four other related skilled care centers were sold to Cedarhurst, N.Y-based Wecare Centers in July.

The sale agreement for the nine nursing homes also stipulated that none of the existing labor agreements with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania had to be honored. At the same time, SEIU will be recognized as the “exclusive bargaining agent” in negotiating new contracts.

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Claims for $18 million in back wages for nursing home workers fail

NYC doorman accused of stealing $478K from elderly tenant after she moved into nursing home

By David Propper

An Upper West Side doorman is accused of stealing nearly $480,000 from a retired teacher and her husband after the woman moved into a nursing home and later died — once disguising his voice to sound like hers as part of the shifty scheme, Manhattan prosecutors said.

Alfredo Mateo, 38, allegedly started preying on the woman while she was under a court-ordered guardianship due to incapacitation while her spouse still lived at their apartment at 380 Riverside Drive before he died in September 2022.

The day after his death, Mateo, of Yonkers, began depositing the first of 26 checks he swiped from the teacher, writing most of the checks to himself from the victim’s bank account, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office alleged.

He also allegedly stole $3,000 from the husband’s account.

Alfredo Mateo is arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court Wednesday. Pool Photo/Curtis Means

While draining the couple’s coffers, he then allegedly schemed to take money from the teacher’s annuity and pension that she earned from her service as a city educator.

Mateo dug through a teachers’ retirement form mailed to the apartment that her personal information was on to submit five false forms to the retirement system between May 5, 2023 and Oct. 12, 2023, prosecutors said.

Two of the forms were even submitted after the teacher died in July 2023 that led to the payout of her annuity and sought to switch her direct deposit to Mateo’s bank account, according to the district attorney’s office.

He also is accused of stealing several pension checks that were sent to the teacher after she died.

Mateo tried twice calling the Teachers’ Retirement System to switch the phone number on her membership, and after failing the first time, attempted to change his voice to sound like the woman, who was 91 at the time, according to prosecutors.

Overall, Mateo allegedly stole a whopping $477,685, prosecutors said.

The doorman is accused of stealing nearly $480,000. Gabriella Bass

“Those who take advantage of the access entrusted in them to target older community members and steal from hardworking New Yorkers will be held accountable,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.

Mateo is facing seven felony counts, including second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, first-degree identity theft, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and related charges, the district attorney’s office said. 

Attempts to reach Mateo on Wednesday night were unsuccessful. His lawyer, James Magee, did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

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NYC doorman accused of stealing $478K from elderly tenant after she moved into nursing home

Senate Committee Unanimously Votes to Advance Legislative Package to Strengthen Protections for Vulnerable Adults

Oct 2, 2024 | Press Release

To better protect the state’s aging population and vulnerable adults, Michigan Senate seeks to implement tools to better detect and address cases of abuse

 

LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 2, 2024) — According to the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General, more than 73,000 older adults in the state are victims of elder abuse. Taking many forms — including scams, fraud, and theft — abuse and exploitation pose a significant threat to the well-being of Michigan seniors and other vulnerable adults. This harm can occur in the person’s home, in the home of a family member, or in licensed settings and can lead to serious physical and psychological effectssuch as depression, increased hospitalization, and premature death. To ensure Michigan’s growing population of aging adults can enjoy the dignity, safety, and quality of life they deserve, Senate Democrats are working to advance legislation to help local and state governments better prevent, detect, and prosecute all forms of elder abuse.

Today marked an important step in the process as the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee, chaired by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), unanimously voted to favorably advance Senate Bills 922–925 for the full chamber’s consideration. Introduced by Senators Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), this legislative package would enhance protections for vulnerable adults by strengthening penalties for abuse and financial exploitation offenses, while also developing programs to bolster prevention efforts.

“Our older adults and vulnerable residents deserve to live their lives free from exploitation and abuse,” said Sen. Klinefelt, lead sponsor of the package. “With this legislation, we are taking much-needed action to empower these individuals and ensure they have the tools needed to safeguard their physical safety and financial well-being. Today’s committee vote is a crucial step forward in the process, and I look forward to getting these bills to the governor’s desk for signature.”

“We owe so much to Michigan’s seniors who have spent their lives protecting and providing for our communities. For too long, they’ve been targeted and left vulnerable to financial exploitation, scams, and fraud. These are real people, real families, and real savings at risk,” said Sen. Anthony. “Now it’s our turn to protect and provide for them. I’m happy to see these bills are making progress, bringing us one step closer to a legal system that truly delivers justice for everyone and safeguards those who have given so much to all of us.”

 

• Senate Bill 922 (Klinefelt): Allows an individual who is 60 years or older, is a vulnerable adult, or has a developmental disability to petition the court to obtain an elder and vulnerable adult personal protection order (PPO).
• Senate Bill 923 (Anthony): Includes embezzlement of a vulnerable adult as a predicate offense for racketeering, allowing prosecutors to pursue recovery of property under a 10-year statute of limitations (from the current six-year statute of limitations).
• Senate Bill 924 (Hertel): Extends legal protections beyond a vulnerable adult’s death, ensuring that offenders who continue their schemes posthumously face the same penalties as if the exploitation had occurred while the vulnerable adult was alive.
• Senate Bill 925 (Irwin): Allows each county or region to create a vulnerable adult multidisciplinary team to take a holistic approach to preventing, intervening, investigating, and prosecuting abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older and vulnerable adults.

“Elder abuse and exploitation is a public health issue. It’s a social issue. And it’s an economic issue,” said Sen. Hertel. “Addressing this pervasive and growing threat requires all of us to do our part and work together to bolster support for our aging population and close loopholes that jeopardize their well-being. This legislation is an important step towards ensuring seniors and other vulnerable adults here in Michigan are afforded the safety, dignity, and justice they have earned and deserve.”

“All people, no matter their age or ability, deserve to live without the fear of being harmed or mistreated,” said Sen. Irwin. “Today, we’ve moved one step closer to ensuring vulnerable adults have additional protections against exploitation and abuse.”

During the committee process, this package garnered support from a broad coalition of organizations including the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General, the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, Michigan Poverty Law Program, the Michigan Catholic Conference, and the Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project.

“Our seniors and vulnerable adults deserve peace and dignity,” said Sen. Chang. “As Chair of the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee, I proudly stand with committee members and bill sponsors to support this bill package going to the full Senate. We are one step closer to better ensuring Michigan’s most vulnerable residents are protected from abuse and exploitation.”

This legislation now awaits the full Senate’s approval.

Source:
Senate Committee Unanimously Votes to Advance Legislative Package to Strengthen Protections for Vulnerable Adults

Frankie Valli addresses fan concerns about elder abuse

by: Travis Schlepp

(KTLA) – Legendary pop singer Frankie Valli says his choice to continue performing into his 90s is his own, despite concerns about possible elder abuse that stem from viral videos of the singer’s recent shows.

In a statement provided to People, the frontman for the Four Seasons said he considers himself “blessed” to be able to take the stage at the age of 90, saying he plans to perform “as long as I am able.”

Frankie Valli performs on the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino Resort on June 09, 2024, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. (Getty Images)

The response comes amid growing concerns of longtime fans and first-time listeners who have reacted to recent performances of the singer in which he’s been described as lethargic or disoriented and even, a cardinal sin for vocalists, lip-syncing.

Videos shared to social media show Valli, real name Francesco Castelluccio, performing on stage with a group of background singers, his unmistakable tenor as loud and powerful as it’s ever been, despite his lips barely moving.

The videos, shared primarily to TikTok, have led to jokes about Valli’s appearance, age and mental capacity, with some going as far as to wonder if he were being trotted out on stage against his will.

Frankie Valli performs on the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino Resort on June 09, 2024 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. (Getty Images)

On Monday, the “Sherry” and “Walk Like a Man” singer refuted those claims.

“I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately so I wanted to clear the air,” the statement reads in part. “I get a chuckle from the comments wondering if someone [is] forcing me to go on stage. Nobody has ever made me do anything I didn’t want to do.”

Many social media commentators have described Valli as looking frail, which is not unheard of for a 90-year-old who’s been performing for the better part of seven decades.

But Valli insists that he’s still going strong and doesn’t plan to stop performing as long as he can and as people keep coming to see him.

“I absolutely love what I do. And I know we put on a great show because our fans are still coming out in force and the show still rocks,” Vallie continued, adding that, despite being long in the tooth, he feels like “that bunny on TV, that just keeps going and going and going. Chasing the music.”

Valli still has a full slate of upcoming shows that will see him crisscrossing the nation, including five in Southern California taking place in November.

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Frankie Valli addresses fan concerns about elder abuse

Family alleges Owasso nursing home changed voter party affiliation for dementia patient

by Tanya Modersitzki

Family alleges Owasso nursing home changed voter party affiliation for dementia patient (KTUL)

OWASSO, OKLA (KTUL) — A man with dementia at an Owasso nursing home allegedly had his voting party changed by staff without permission from his guardians.

With just 10 days left to register to vote, a family said they caught this in time after they saw staff at The Highlands Nursing Home switch their loved one's party affiliation.

The Family said this isn't about party, but rather avoiding election fraud.

As November elections are coming up fast and the deadline to register is days away, Tracy Hopkins' family said they're worried about how many other people in nursing homes who can't make their own decisions have this happening.

"I thought heck, he's not going to be able to vote. He's incapacitated. He can't do it. He can't logically take all the information and make a decision," Randall Newberry, Tracy's brother, said.

Newberry said his brother suffered from a stroke some years back and recently was diagnosed with dementia. That's when Tracy's parents, who are his legal guardians, put him in The Highlands Nursing Home.

In July, Newberry said he went to visit his brother and said this letter was on the table saying Tracy's party affiliation was changing.

"He had just been put in the facility 6 months or 8 months prior. I just thought they were trying to catch up to him. I didn't know if it was phishing or what it was," he said.

Then this past weekend, Newberry went to visit his brother and saw Tracy's voter registration card with his new party affiliation.

He said Tracy legally and medically cannot make those decisions and he's down to responding in one-word answers. Newberry said recently, his brother was given six months to live.

News Channel 8 spoke with Terrance Gibson with The Highlands. He said staff, every election year, ask residents if they'd like to register to vote.

He said the Tulsa County Election Board didn't let them know Tracy was already registered in Mayes County to move over his information.

He adds, that when his staff asked Tracy which party he wanted to be affiliated with he responded with "Democrat."

The Highlands owner, Steve, said Tracy's health capacity is low, but he believes he has the right to vote.

“We’re trying to make sure those living in a nursing facility have as much of a normal life as possible and be able to do things like voting," Steve said over the phone.

Gibson said they're working with the family to re-register him if they want to and are working with Tulsa County Election Board to double-check all 100-plus residents.

He said, “Residents, whether they’re here, at home, or at the hospital have rights. We as providers want to protect those rights and have an obligation to help them, if they choose, to register to vote and make sure they get those absentee ballots.”

This comes after Governor Kevin Stitt recently announced more than 450,000 voter registrations were removed since 2021. 5,600 were felons.

144,000 moved out of state, and 97,000 died. Stitt's office said this is to reduce voter fraud.

Voting registration ends October 11th.

The family and staff at The Highland are encouraging voters and families to double-check voter registration before the deadline. To do so go to your local election board.

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Family alleges Owasso nursing home changed voter party affiliation for dementia patient

'Good Times' star John Amos dead at 84

The actor was also nominated for his role in 'Roots'

By Brie Stimson

John Amos, who played the father on "Good Times," has died. He was 84 years old. 

Amos’ publicist, Belinda Foster, confirmed the news of his death Tuesday to The Associated Press. No other details were immediately available.

One of Amos’ first prominent roles was as the WJM-TV weatherman on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." He was also frequently on "The Tim Conway Comedy Hour," which ran in 1970, before he landed "Good Times" in 1974.

Amos was also nominated for his role in the 1977 miniseries "Roots." 

Amos' son K.C. said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, "It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned. He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor."

Amos played James Evans Sr. on the Norman Lear-produced sitcom "Good Times," which ran from 1974 until 1979.

Full Article & Source:
'Good Times' star John Amos dead at 84

See Also:
‘Good Times’ Star John Amos Elder Abuse Investigation: Police Drop Big News

John Amos Hopes to Reconcile With Daughter Despite Accusing Her of 'Elderly Abuse'

John Amos Speaks Out After Accusing Daughter of Elder Abuse: 'I Love Her'

John Amos hopeful family rift can be repaired following elder abuse row

John Amos' Son K.C. Arrested for Allegedly Threatening to Kill Sister Shannon After Elder Abuse Claims

John Amos’ daughter speaks out against her brother amid elder abuse investigation

John Amos' Son Removed as Medical Power of Attorney

CBI investigating allegations of possible elder abuse against actor John Amos

John Amos, 83, 'is doing well' following elder abuse allegations

John Amos Accuses Daughter of 'Elder Abuse' After Denying Her GoFundMe Health Claims: 'She Would be the Primary Suspect'

'American Pickers' star Frank Fritz dead at 60

Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz starred on 'American Pickers'

By Lauryn Overhultz

Frank Fritz has died, Fox News Digital can confirm.

"We are saddened to share that our friend and beloved member of The HISTORY Channel and ‘American Pickers’ family, Frank Fritz, has passed away on September 30, 2024," The History Channel and Cineflex Productions shared in a statement with Fox News Digital. "Frank filmed ‘American Pickers’ for over a decade. We will always remember ‘the bearded charmer’ and his never-ending search for vintage motorcycles and bikes. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed."

His former co-star Mike Wolfe also posted about the "American Pickers" star's death on Instagram. "It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night," he wrote.

"I’ve [known] Frank for more [than] half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself." 

Danielle Colby, who also stars in "American Pickers," shared a tribute to the Midwestern native.

"Frank, I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking tattoos, your epic collections but what I will miss the most are those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time," Colby wrote on Instagram. "Frank, you loved your cat and your momma and we bonded on those things. You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many more."

Fritz suffered a stroke in 2022 and had been recovering.

"I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank's life and the journey he’s been on," Wolfe wrote on Instagram at the time. "There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend."

The TV star had left "American Pickers" earlier that year.

"We all do care about Frank, and we want him back on the show," Wolfe told The Sun at the time. "I would love to talk with him again, we would absolutely love to, but he just can’t get it right."

"Frank is just going through a lot personally with addictions," he alleged. "It’s unfortunate that he’s made decisions that have him the way he is."

Full Article & Source:
'American Pickers' star Frank Fritz dead at 60

See Also:
FRANK'S FIGHT American Pickers’ Frank Fritz relies on ‘long-term nursing care’ after stroke as conservator demands access to his funds

Judge Rules On ‘American Pickers’ Frank Fritz Conservatorship

AMERICAN PICKERS STAR FRANK FRITZ'S JUDGE MAKES MAJOR RULING IN DEMAND TO SEAL HEALTH & FINANCIAL RECORDS AFTER STROKE

‘American Pickers’ Frank Fritz Conservatorship In Danger

RIGHT PATH American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s conservator files new financial plan as he recovers from debilitating stroke

American Pickers' Frank Fritz Still Under A Conservatorship, But There's Been An Update

PICKING PRIVACY American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s conservator begs judge to seal his financial records and location amid his recovery

CONSERVATOR CHAOS American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s conservator at risk of removal by judge after star suffers debilitating stroke

PAY UP American Pickers alum Frank Fritz’s conservatorship lawyer demands to be paid $2K for his services in tragic case

Frank Fritz, of 'American Pickers,' under guardianship after stroke

FRANK'S FATE American Pickers alum Frank Fritz’s judge makes major ruling in conservatorship case after star suffers from stroke