A Lake Butler man who authorities say befriended a 94-year-old woman and then conned her out of nearly half a million dollars was arrested in Ocala.Michael Charles Fluharty, 58, the self-employed owner of a lawn care service, was arrested outside the Marion County Courthouse following a guardianship hearing for the woman. He was charged with exploitation of an elderly person.
Marion County Sheriff's Detective Janeen Henley-Freeman noted in her report that Fluharty had taken care of the victim's lawn since 2008.
Over time, the detective said, Fluharty coerced the elderly woman into putting his name on her financial accounts. Once he had control, he allegedly began withdrawing money from the woman's accounts through various means, including checks and money transfers.
The woman became the beneficiary of a large sum of money, the detective said, and Fluharty became aware of the windfall. She said he reportedly began to take more money.
Fluharty also convinced the woman to give him power of attorney over her affairs and to change her will so he would be the sole executor and beneficiary, noted the report.
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Man Accused of Swindling $450K From Elderly Woman
There should be stiffer penalties for preying on our most vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteStandup has already expressed my comment. There are so many of these types of crimes, penalties obviously need to be increased.
ReplyDeleteNEW LAWS EXPEDITED FOR THE ELDERLY..TO MAKE THE PREDATORS THINK TWICE BEFORE ABUSING AN ELDER
ReplyDeleteBefore an elder allows another person's name on financial accounts.
1. It should be Law, all parties must go in person to an attorney, bank or police department. The elder must have a signed statement from the doctor the elder is competent. The doctor's statement must be in the same month and year signing the other person's name on the elder's financial document.
2. An attorney or banker must have a written statement from the doctors office stating the elder is competent within the same month and year the document is signed. The attorney. bank or Police Dept. MUST contact the doctor by phone to verify doctors written statement.
3. Monthly reports of ALL activity on all elders financial accounts must be reported to the police department. At the time the other person is making withdrawals or writing checks on the elders account the bank MUST call the elder to confirm all checks or withdrawals.
4. The person on the elders financial account needs to be informed the Police Department receives all activity on (All) financial accounts. The person on the elders financial accounts will be fingerprinted and a picture taken of them. They will sign a document, stating, if they mentally or physically abuse, or exploit the elder, they will go to prison.
We're not talking about small petty disagreements or arguments, We're talking about Crimes of Elder Abuse.
Gone are the days when an honest family member or neighbor would have only the best interest of the elder in mind.
The elder has become prey to people from all walks of life and is the reason New Laws Must be expedited to protect our elders.