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. 

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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. 

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

Woman charged for allegedly exploiting 96-year-old, faces multiple theft counts in Lewis County

Story by Adel Toay

A 58-year-old woman appeared in court Thursday afternoon after being charged in connection with the alleged financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Lewis County.

Kristine Hughey is charged with one count of forgery, 10 counts of first-degree theft and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. She was arrested without incident and booked into the Lewis County Jail. She did not enter a plea because she has not yet consulted with an attorney. 

"I’m going to take the more prudent course and wait until your attorney is present so I can be assured that your attorney has properly advised you of all your rights, the maximum penalties, and everything else necessary for a valid arraignment," said Judge J. Andrew Toynbee in Lewis County Superior Court. 

The charges stem from an investigation that began April 8, when officers responded to concerns raised by neighbors and referrals from Adult Protective Services involving a 96-year-old woman in Centralia. Authorities say the victim has dementia, requires skilled nursing care and meets the legal definition of a vulnerable adult under Washington law.

Detectives determined Hughey, originally from California, had been living with and caring for the victim since around mid-2025. In September 2025, Hughey obtained durable power of attorney over the woman and soon after transferred ownership of the victim’s Centralia home into her own name using a quitclaim deed, describing it as a gift.

Financial records reviewed with the victim’s permission indicate that roughly $78,000 was withdrawn or spent from the victim’s accounts between September 2025 and March 2026. Investigators noted that the amount significantly exceeded the victim’s approximate $8,000 monthly income from Social Security and pension payments.

Authorities say more than $21,400 was taken out in cash, with additional spending tied to horse-related purchases, travel, dining, entertainment and peer-to-peer transfers to individuals outside the state. Investigators also identified recurring charges they say did not align with the victim’s circumstances as a nursing home resident without a vehicle or livestock.

According to detectives, the victim said she did not approve the large withdrawals or personal expenses and believed the power of attorney and property transfer were meant only to help manage bills and arrange inheritance after her death. She has since indicated she wants to revoke the agreement.

Police say Hughey has a lengthy criminal record across multiple states involving fraud, forgery, theft and identity-related crimes, and has used several aliases.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Centralia Police Department at 360-330-7680. 

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Woman charged for allegedly exploiting 96-year-old, faces multiple theft counts in Lewis County 

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

by: Joe Schroeder

(WXIN/WTTV) — A former bookkeeper at an Indiana nonprofit will spend over a year behind bars after pleading guilty to stealing $79,000 from incapacitated senior citizens’ bank accounts.

Brenda Denise Walters, 57, of Nappanee, was sentenced this week to 22 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. This comes after she pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to 10 counts of wire fraud.

Court documents detail how Walters was hired in Aug. 2023 as a bookkeeper for Organization A, a local nonprofit. Walters was reportedly in charge of the Guardianship Program, which provides court-appointed legal guardians for incapacitated older adults and manages their finances.

In her part-time role, Walters oversaw the bank accounts of over 20 program clients and was responsible for paying bills and managing investments. Investigators found that, for nearly a year, the bookkeeper instead defrauded her “mentally incapacitated elderly adult clients.”

Walters reportedly stole money from the victims’ bank accounts for her own personal benefit, using the money to pay her utility bills, buy clothes, host parties and take expensive vacations to New York, Florida and Pigeon Forge. 

To conceal the theft, Walters then falsified bank statements and hid transfers to her personal accounts. Documents detail how she created a fake United Healthcare bill for a client to disguise a transfer to her Apple Card. Another time, she falsely labeled a check as being for “plumbing.”

In total, Walters stole over $79,000 from at least six clients of the Guardianship Program. Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said she “preyed exclusively on some of the most vulnerable members of society.”

“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,” Wheeler said. “This office will continue to pursue justice for victims who are targeted because of their age, incapacity, or dependence on others.”

After pleading guilty earlier this week to 10 counts of federal wire fraud, Walters was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II to 22 months in prison. Upon release, she will serve three years of probation.

No mugshot or booking photo of Walters was made publicly available. 

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

Senior scams are on the rise — and banks and businesses can’t turn a blind eye

By Steve Cohen 

Jeffrey Maas thought he was being a good citizen, helping to fix a mistake that he was told was going to ruin someone’s career. His naivete led him into a common scam that cost him most of his life savings.

Maas, a 76-year-old retiree living in New Jersey, read the e-mail that millions of people have received: “Thank you for your order of Norton anti-virus software … for $691.85…If you would like to confirm or cancel this subscription, please call…”

Unfortunately, Maas did call to cancel the subscription he never ordered – and got sucked into a scheme that cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars. He was not alone: the FBI estimates that the “phantom hacker/courier scheme costs Americans — most of them senior citizens — more than $500 million annually. And sadly, that estimate is probably woefully understated, because most people are too embarrassed to admit they have been taken, and never report it to authorities.

Scams targeting senior citizens take many forms, including Medicare scams, “grandparent” schemes and more. WavebreakmediaMicro – stock.adobe.com

Jeffrey Maas is one of the very few victims willing to publicly admit they were taken.  And he is trying to help keep others from falling for such schemes: He identified one of the (low-level) scammers who was arrested and indicted. Maas has filed a civil lawsuit, not just against the conmen but against a major regional bank and a precious-metals-coin dealer who helped enable it.

Scams targeting senior citizens take many forms.

There are Medicare scams that get seniors to turn over personal information in exchange for “free” or unneeded medical equipment.

There are “grandparent” schemes that use texts or cloned voices supposedly from grandchildren who are in trouble and need bail money wired immediately; lottery scams that require the “winner” to first transfer taxes or fees prior to getting their prize; romance scams where fraudsters build fake relationships — often just online — over weeks or months, and then request money for emergencies, travel, or medical bills;  and IRS impersonation scams where “agents” threaten arrest for unpaid taxes unless immediate payment is made via gift cards or wire transfer.

Senior citizens are more likely to get scammed because they might not understand technology. Ezequiel MartÃÂnez – stock.adobe.com

While the scams take many forms and have numerous variations, there are some common denominators.  They target older adults who are less tech-savvy, perhaps more trusting, more gullible, but certainly more likely to fall for the scam — and lose more money — than their younger counterparts.  The AARP reports that people in their 70s reported a median loss of $1,000 per fraud incident, compared to a median of $417 for those in their 20s. Those in their 70s also reported losing a median of $20,000 to investment scams, versus $1,551 for victims in their 20s.  Sadly, the FBI estimates that Americans lost $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, up 43% from the year earlier.

Exactly why the problem is getting worse is unclear. Perhaps the scammers are becoming more sophisticated; or there are just more of them. Another reason may be that companies which are supposed to have processes in place to help protect the elderly either do not or are simply not following them. 

Those in their 70s also reported losing a median of $20,000 to investment scams, versus $1,551 for victims in their 20s. tan4ikk – stock.adobe.com

That’s what happened to Maas. After being convinced by the scammers that his bank account had been erroneously credited with several hundred thousand dollars — and the “proof” was eerily credible — they then convinced him that the only way he could return the money without causing the person who made the error to lose his job was to deliver gold coins to a certified messenger.

In retrospect, this “solution” was obviously preposterous, and Maas realized that just as he handed over a second tranche of coins — and then snapped a photo of the courier’s license plate. But in the moment, it seemed reasonable, and Maas was conned.  

As part of one scam, victims were told to deliver gold coins to a certified messenger. Thicha – stock.adobe.com

There were multiple checkpoints throughout the con where others could have intervened but didn’t. Maas had been instructed to go to his local bank and wire money to one of several precious-metal-coin companies recommended by the scammers. At the bank, Maas told the banker he wanted to wire nearly his entire life savings to the coin company — and all the while was on an open phone call with the scammer. The banker did not ask a single question of this obviously distressed, elderly man, such as,  “Why are you doing this? Did you get financial advice? Who is on the phone?”

Similarly, the coin company owner never asked him a single question. And here too, Maas was on an open phone call with the scammer. But perhaps most remarkably, this whole scheme happened twice — two days in a row — because the scammers knew they had a live fish on the line. And no one who could have stopped it — or even slowed it down — was doing anything. They were just treating it as business-as-usual.

To cut down on senior scams, businesses need to do more than the bare minimum to ensure that each transaction is sound. Liubomir – stock.adobe.com

Banks — and to a smaller extent coin companies — have a responsibility to know their customers and take precautions to prevent what is known in their industries as elder financial exploitation. There are federal regulations — about staff training and procedures — and specific red flags that employees are supposed to be on the lookout for. One is whether the elderly customer is taking directions from someone with whom they are speaking on a cellphone. In addition to the federal regulations, there are New Jersey statutes designed to help protect seniors. None of them were followed.

A judge and jury will determine whether the bank and coin company were negligent in Maas’ case. And a different jury will determine if the courier or anyone else was criminally liable. Until then, we need to get banks and coin companies to stop being complacent and helping to enable these scams. They need to slow down these transactions — even by a few minutes — and ask a few questions. Such delays won’t hobble the economy, and they might help save other seniors from the financial and emotional harms Maas has suffered. Criminals may be driving these scams, but lazy companies willing to look the other way are making them possible.

Steve Cohen is an attorney at Pollock Cohen LLP.

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Senior scams are on the rise — and banks and businesses can’t turn a blind eye 

CBS family's year-long fight for disability benefits resolved after guardianship papers accepted

Colin Bradley's federal disability payments will now be issued after prolonged administrative delay and review of guardianship paperwork filed in PEI

By Shauna Bernard 

Colin Bradley with his sister and caregiver, Teena Bradley Rumbolt, who has now secured his federal disability benefit after a year long struggle. CONTRIBUTED

A Conception Bay South family says a year-long delay in accessing a federal disability benefit has now been resolved, with Service Canada confirming that monthly payments will begin in May.

In a post shared on social media, caregiver Teena Bradley Rumbolt said she was contacted by the national director of the program last week and informed that her brother, Colin Bradley, will receive all backdated payments, too.

“He will receive all of last year’s payments in May, and start with the monthly payments in May as well,” Rumbolt said.

Colin Bradley with his sister and full-time caregiver, Teena Rumbolt. CONTRIBUTED

GUARDIANSHIP DOCUMENTATION DEEMED SUFFICIENT

The delay in getting the payments stemmed from a concern about the wording for the long-standing guardianship order for Bradley, which was not accepted when the family attempted to apply for his payments. They feared they would have to go through the expense of having the paperwork, which was originally issued in Prince Edward Island, filed again in Newfoundland.

“I was finally contacted by the national director for the disability program… and she apologized many times, as our legal paperwork was sufficient and never should have been questioned,” she said.

Rumbolt said she was informed that the case had led to changes in how legal documents are assessed within Service Canada.

“Due to the mishandling of Colin’s case, they will receive further training, and they also have implemented a new procedure with legal documents,” she said.

"From now on, when a Service Canada officer receives legal documentation, it will require two sets of eyes before moving on to be denied or approved.”

STRAIN OF A PROLONGED APPLICATION

The family has been waiting nearly a year for the benefit, which is administered federally through Service Canada and supports eligible adults with disabilities.

The process required repeated follow-ups with government offices, legal representatives, and elected officials.

Rumbolt said the delay placed significant strain on the household.

“It’s beyond exhausting, constantly having to advocate for family. This world these days requires someone to do the work and keep pushing for what is right. If not, you get nothing,” she said.

“Don’t give up. Don’t accept what you know is not fair and continue to speak up. One person can make a change, and this is proof.”

Colin Bradley spends much of his day by the window, watching the world outside from his home in CBS. CONTRIBUTED

SERVICE CANADA CONFIRMS APPROVAL, ACKNOWLEDGES ERROR

In a statement to The Telegram, Service Canada confirmed the case has now been resolved and that payments have been approved.

“Upon receipt of all required documentation, the file was processed successfully. C. Bradley’s application has been approved, the file is now current, active, and in pay,” the agency said.

It added that all applicable retroactive payments have been authorized and that ongoing monthly payments are now in effect.

“The initial documentation received led to a denial for this client, which was an accurate decision given the documentation provided at the time,” the statement said.

“Upon receiving an additional legal document from the client, Service Canada misinterpreted the legal requirements, thereby incorrectly maintaining the original decision. Upon further review, it was determined that the original denial decision was incorrect.”

REVIEW AND INTERNAL PROCESSES

Service Canada said legal guardianship documents are assessed in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements tied to each program.

Officers are supported by training, procedural guidelines, and internal resources when evaluating documentation, the agency said, adding that additional advice is available when required.

“Service Canada continually reviews its processes to better ensure clarity, consistency, and decision-making across cases,” the statement said, including in the handling of legal documentation such as guardianship and proof of representation.

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CBS family's year-long fight for disability benefits resolved after guardianship papers accepted  

Polk County Approves Funding to Support Health & Wellness for Seniors & Disabled

Des Moines, IA- The Polk County Board of Supervisors, on Tuesday, approved agreements aimed at enhancing assistance for elderly and those individuals with developmental  disabilities. The first agreement, in collaboration with the Iowa Developmental Disability Council and 
the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Division of Aging and Disability Services, is designed to launch a Supported Decision-Making demonstration project, made possible through grant 
funding.

Supported Decision-Making is an innovative approach that seeks to empower individuals by providing them with the necessary support to understand, consider, and communicate their decisions effectively. 
This practice not only promotes autonomy and preserves legal rights but also contributes significantly to informed decision-making.

With the second agreement, Aging Resources of Central Iowa will contribute $404,000 each year for the next two years to assist with nutrition, transportation needs, program outreach, health promotion 
and disease prevention.

Polk County Board Chair Matt McCoy states, “This project is a crucial step in ensuring that our elderly and those with disabilities have the support they need to make informed choices about their 
health and wellbeing.”

“Through Supported Decision-Making, we are paving the way for a future where individuals feel empowered to make decisions that affect their lives, promoting both dignity and independence.” Said, 
Joel Olah, Executive Director, Aging Resources of Central Iowa.

Please call your closest Polk County Senior Center for more information or call the Senior Services Administration office at 515-286-3679.
 
Information also available at https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/community-family-youthservices/senior-services/about-us/

Source:
Polk County Approves Funding to Support Health & Wellness for Seniors & Disabled  

Forest Grove police investigate nursing assistant in multivictim elder exploitation

By Nick LaMora 

Forest Grove police say they have charged Willow McCullough for numerous financial abuse-related charges involving several elderly victims. (File photo)

A certified nursing assistant who worked in multiple senior care facilities across Washington County is facing a slate of felony charges for allegedly financially exploiting elderly residents, according to police.

The Forest Grove Police Department, working with the Beaverton Police Department and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, is investigating Willow McCullough, who authorities say is tied to multiple cases of financial abuse.

Investigators say the alleged conduct spans several assisted-living and senior care facilities in Forest Grove, Beaverton and the surrounding area, where McCullough was employed as a nursing assistant.

Court records show at least six victims have been identified, and authorities believe there may be more.

McCullough faces 22 charges across two separate cases, including six counts of identity theft, three counts of aggravated identity theft and six counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, as well as three counts of first-degree theft, one count of aggravated first-degree theft and three counts of second-degree theft.

Officials are asking anyone who believes they or a family member may have been affected to come forward. Reports can be made through Oregon’s Adult Protective Services hotline at 855-503-7233 or by contacting local law enforcement. Forest Grove investigators can be reached at 503-992-3260.

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Forest Grove police investigate nursing assistant in multivictim elder exploitation