Boston Notary and banker Rodolfo Bonilla created a durable power of attorney for his girlfriend and then used it to bilk a hospitalized former client, 92-year-old Michael Kostecki, out of $300,000.
Local authorities have charged Bonilla with seven counts of larceny.
Bonilla was Kostecki’s longtime personal banker at a Citizens Bank branch in Boston. The elderly client initially signed a letter giving Lewis power of attorney over his financial affairs, but prosecutors say Kostecki did not have the mental competency to make that decision. Prosecutors say Bonilla withdrew and transferred the $300,000 plus from Kostecki’s account over the summer.
The plan began to unravel when Bonilla and Lewis showed up in Kostecki’s hospital room and tried to get their hands on the $5,000 in cash the patient brought with him. But the alert hospital staff informed the DA’s Special Investigations about the attempted shakedown. An investigation was launched that resulted in the termination and arrest of Bonilla.
Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley: "the greed at work in the case was absolutely unconscionable."
Source:
Banker Uses Power Of Attorney To Bilk Elderly Client
Local authorities have charged Bonilla with seven counts of larceny.
Bonilla was Kostecki’s longtime personal banker at a Citizens Bank branch in Boston. The elderly client initially signed a letter giving Lewis power of attorney over his financial affairs, but prosecutors say Kostecki did not have the mental competency to make that decision. Prosecutors say Bonilla withdrew and transferred the $300,000 plus from Kostecki’s account over the summer.
The plan began to unravel when Bonilla and Lewis showed up in Kostecki’s hospital room and tried to get their hands on the $5,000 in cash the patient brought with him. But the alert hospital staff informed the DA’s Special Investigations about the attempted shakedown. An investigation was launched that resulted in the termination and arrest of Bonilla.
Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley: "the greed at work in the case was absolutely unconscionable."
Source:
Banker Uses Power Of Attorney To Bilk Elderly Client
It just makes me sick to see a new "scheme" to bilk the elderly.
ReplyDeleteThere needs to be stricter punishment to help deter these criminals.
The only clear deterrent is harsh PRISON SENTENCE and full restitution.
ReplyDeleteAnything less enables those with criminal minds to take the risk to commit crimes against the vulnerable.
Those in positions of trust, including bank representatives deserve 3 times the prison sentence. Crimes like this are increasing, so it is a good idea to start building more prisons a.s.a.p.
Greed, greed, greed.
ReplyDeleteMay they rot.....