Florida Woman Arrested for Financially Exploiting Elderly and Disabled Mother Using PoA

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), the Florida Department of Corrections Probation Division and the Tampa Police Department today arrested Rosalinda Rivera for exploitation of an elderly person. Rivera allegedly abused her authorization as power of attorney for her elderly and disabled mother to exploit more than $65,000. According to the investigation, Rivera had taken money meant for her mother’s nursing home care and misappropriated more than $65,000 for personal use. Rivera also allegedly stopped paying the out-of-pocket share of her mother’s nursing home care.

Rivera is facing one count of exploitation of an elderly person, a second degree felony, and one count of grand theft from a person aged 65 years or older, a third degree felony. If convicted, Rivera could face up to 20 years in prison and $15,000 in fines. Rivera’s case will be prosecuted by the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.

The Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes fraud involving providers that intentionally defraud the state's Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. Medicaid fraud essentially steals from Florida's taxpayers. From January 2011 to April 2014, Attorney General Bondi’s MFCU has obtained more than $450 million in settlements and judgment.

Source:
Hillsborough County Woman Arrested for Exploitation of an Elderly Person