Guilty Pleas in Financial Elder Abuse Spur Call for Legislative Action

Three cases of elder financial abuse totaling nearly a half million dollars have led Erie County’s top prosecutor to call for legislative action.

District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III on Wednesday urged state lawmakers to approve a package of bills that would help prevent and combat such crimes.

“There is simply no good reason to continue to dawdle, dither and haggle while our seniors continue to be exploited by this especially low form of swindler,” he said.

Sedita issued his call for action after three people pleaded guilty this week in three separate cases to taking financial advantage of elderly people.

Sedita said the three cases show the need for the Legislature to act on the legislation package, sponsored by Assemblyman Robin L. Schimminger, D-Kenmore, and State Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan, R-Elma.

The bills are based on the recommendations of the New York State White Collar Crime Task Force, on which Sedita served as co-chairman. The task force report was released last September by the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York.

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Guilty Pleas in Financial Elder Abuse Spur Call for Legislative Action