Over $1 Million Stolen from Elderly in Philadelphia Region by Caretaker

by Ryan Dickinson

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Gloria Byars, 62, of Aldan, PA, and Carlton Rembert, 69, of Hampton, VA, were found guilty of defrauding over $1 million from elderly, incapacitated individuals. United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced the verdicts today. Byars pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and tax fraud, while Rembert was found guilty of conspiracy, bank fraud, and wire fraud following a four-day trial.

From 2012 to 2018, Byars, while serving as a court-appointed guardian, along with co-conspirators, exploited her role to steal life savings from dozens of incapacitated wards. Initially an office manager for a Delaware County guardianship company and later operating her own company, Byars had access to the wards’ assets, including bank accounts and real estate. Byars, Rembert, and another co-conspirator, Alesha Mitchell, used shell companies to funnel and launder the stolen funds. Byars misused the money on personal luxuries, including vacations and vehicles.

In her plea agreement, Byars agreed to forfeit 36 gold Krugerrand coins, part of the assets she stole from her wards. She also misappropriated over $756,000 from a retired federal employee’s Thrift Savings Plan, contributing to the total theft of over $1 million from at least 120 victims.

The maximum sentences for the crimes include 30 years’ imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine for bank fraud, 20 years and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud, 20 years and a $500,000 fine for money laundering, and 3 years and a $250,000 fine for filing a false tax return.

U.S. Attorney Romero condemned the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, vowing zero tolerance for such fraud. FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard Langham emphasized the FBI’s dedication to protecting elders from fraud and abuse. IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty reiterated their commitment to investigating white-collar crimes.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer praised the collaborative efforts of local and federal authorities in securing the convictions, highlighting the importance of protecting vulnerable residents from guardianship fraud.

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Over $1 Million Stolen from Elderly in Philadelphia Region by Caretaker