Hellertown woman found guilty in financial exploitation of mother, authorities say

By  Pamela Sroka-Holzmann

A Hellertown woman has been convicted of financial exploitation of her 86-year-old mother’s estate.

Alyssa Ann Piazza, 54, of the 1600 block of Oakridge Lane, on Friday was found guilty by a jury of two counts felony theft, felony neglect of care of a dependent person, felony forgery, abuse of a care dependent person and misdemeanor communication of lewd, threatening or obscene language.

The verdict was announced Tuesday morning by the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office. 

Piazza scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 12.

George Nassif, the public defender representing Piazza, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Tuesday morning.

Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta, who prosecuted the case, said he was thankful to the jury for its “careful consideration of the facts and the rendering of an appropriate verdict.”

He warned losses associated with the financial exploitation of older adults exceeds $3 billion annually.

“The statistics also bear out the high prevalence of social isolation, cognitive impairment, and the existence of a relationship of expected trust between the victim and perpetrator often renders these adults uniquely susceptible to financial exploitation,” Baratta stated in a news release.

Authorities said Piazza misused a power of attorney and left her mother homeless as she diverted her mother’s entire financial estate and sold her home of 27 years.

The woman in August 2022 reported verbal and mental abuse to the Lower Saucon Police Department.

She told investigators Piazza and her husband moved in with her at her Mansfield Street home in 2015. She suffered an illness two years later and placed Piazza in control of her affairs, according to court records.

The woman reported being shoved and dragged by Piazza, and called derogatory names. Piazza withheld food from her and threatened her if she reported the treatment, court records state.

Piazza was found by police to be stealing the vicim’s prescription medication in August 2022 after picking it up from an area pharmacy.

Piazza additionally stole hundreds of thousands of dollars after selling the victim’s home and transferred the cash into her own bank account, authorities said. 

Piazza then posted photos on social media illustrating the newfound wealth, court records state.

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Hellertown woman found guilty in financial exploitation of mother, authorities say