Saturday, September 11, 2010

Woman Pleads Guilty to Elder Exploitation

He made people laugh as a writer for such television series as "All in the Family," "Welcome Back Kotter," and "Chico and the Man." He died alone in his house in Hurley, a victim of elderly exploitation by a woman whom George Bloom's family said had convinced them that she was taking care of him.

On Aug. 18, Vallie Phillips, 67, pleaded guilty to two, third-degree felony charges of forgery and four, fourth-degree felony counts of forgery in connection with Bloom's exploitation. As part of a plea agreement, Phillips was ordered to pay restitution of $16,900 by Wednesday to Bloom's estate, which has been paid. She also was placed on five years probation, with a conditional discharge, meaning that after she completes her probation there will be no criminal record of a conviction.

"He was living in a home infested with mice," according to a statement that Bloom's family - his son, George Bloom III, and his daughters, Eva Bloom, Laura Bloom and Alison Bloom - prepared for the court. "He had little food, no running water and no heat and there were mice feces everywhere. The stench in his house was unbearable.

"This is a human tragedy," George Bloom III said. "The day he died, the only reason she (Phillips) cried, if she cried at all, was because she knew the money train was over. We just don't want this to happen to anyone else."

Full Article and Source:
Woman Pleads Guilty in Elder Exploitation Case

3 comments:

StandUp said...

I believe that Phillips cried for herself, too, not because of Bloom's death.

Holly said...

I am extremely glad that this woman is caught and held accountable but, I continue to wait for the day those committing the very same horrific crimes while hiding in and behind the courts in this country are also accountable.

Mark said...

Indeed it is a human tragedy.