Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Eastern District of Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 26, 2019
Caregiver Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Client of $100K
NEWPORT
NEWS, Va. – A Hayes woman was sentenced today to more than five years
in prison for stealing approximately $100,000 from a disabled woman for
whom she provided caregiving services.
“The financial and emotional harm these deceitful
and illegal acts can cause victims and their family members cannot be
overstated,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern
District of Virginia. “Denton is a serial fraudster who in this case
defrauded and victimized a particularly vulnerable woman who had
entrusted Denton with providing care to her and her son, who also
suffers from certain disabilities. Denton abused and violated that
position of trust and stole nearly $100,000 from the victim. We will
continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement
partners to make sure we are protecting those in our communities who are
most vulnerable.”
According to court documents, Amy Denton, 43,
worked as a caregiver for a Gloucester woman who suffered from various
medical issues and limitations. In early 2015, her client’s mother
passed away, leaving her a number of life insurance policies. In her
role as caregiver, Denton obtained notices of the policies, but then
forged her client’s signature on various forms to request the life
insurance funds. Denton caused the victim to complete a Virginia Durable
Power of Attorney Form (POA) that gave Denton access and control over
her client’s finances. The woman signed this form without knowing the
authority it provided Denton over her finances.
“Fraud and betrayal by a trusted caregiver is a
shameful crime,” said Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the
FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “The price of this defendant’s greed is the
financial security of the victim and her son. The FBI will continue to
hold accountable anyone who preys on the vulnerabilities of others.”
Denton used the POA to open bank accounts and add
herself to her client’s existing bank account. In May 2015, Denton
fraudulently obtained five life insurance checks in the total amount of
approximately $100,000, and then routed these funds through bank
accounts she controlled. She used the funds to purchase a vehicle, pay
off court costs related to a prior state fraud conviction, and for other
travel and entertainment expenses. Once the life insurance proceeds
were spent, in November 2015, Denton attempted to obtain an additional
$40,000 in assets that were held by a law firm and would have accrued to
her client. In May 2016, the victim learned that her bank account
lacked sufficient funds to pay various bills, and had a seizure at the
bank and additional seizures thereafter that required hospitalization.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the
Eastern District of Virginia, Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge
of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, and Darrell W. Warren, Jr.,
Gloucester County Sheriff, made the announcement after sentencing by
U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian
J. Samuels prosecuted the case.
Full Article & Source:
Caregiver Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Client of $100K
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