AG Nessel Receives Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter Excellence in Leadership Award

May 08, 2024

LANSING – Yesterday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel received the Excellence in Leadership Award from the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter for her work to combat elder abuse through Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force.

The Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations and more than 100 individuals in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.  

“The Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter has been a tireless advocate for our seniors, leading the way in making our state a place where residents can grow older with the assurance that their rights and freedoms will be preserved,” Nessel said. “I am honored to receive this award and am proud to have the Alzheimer’s Association as part of the Elder Abuse Task Force.”

"It was an obvious choice for the Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter to recognize Attorney General Dana Nessel with this year's Excellence in Leadership award," said Jennifer Lepard, President & CEO of the Michigan Chapter. "Ensuring the state’s most at-risk populations are safe and secure has been one of her core initiatives, most notably through the Elder Abuse Task Force, on which the Association also works. Through this initiative and additional extensive work in her time in office, Attorney General Nessel has proven she is a true advocate for the state’s most vulnerable, including those living with Alzheimer's and dementia."

Achievements of the Elder Abuse Task Force include the adoption of a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report form (PDF) for investigation by law enforcement across the state, including the implementation of related trainings. Additionally, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act was signed into law in 2021 to ensure mandated reporting for financial institutions on suspected fraud or exploitation. Both were part of the Task Force’s first set of initiatives (PDF).   

The Task Force is also working with legislators to reform Michigan’s guardianship and conservatorship practices.  

It is estimated that more than 100,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse and that less than half of all instances are reported to authorities. Michigan residents seeking elder abuse resources are encouraged to call 800-24-ABUSE (22873), or 855-444-3911 to report suspected elder abuse.

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AG Nessel Receives Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter Excellence in Leadership Award

AG Nessel files embezzlement charges against guardian

A court-appointed professional guardian used her position to steal from 11 vulnerable adults.

 

By Krystle Holleman

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Thursday the Michigan Attorney General’s office announced they had filed a total of 12 charges against Jessica Englebrecht for allegedly abusing her authority.

Englebrecht, 33, of Scottville, faces eight felony counts, one high court misdemeanor and three misdemeanors for embezzling from 11 vulnerable adults she was appointed to act as guardian of by the Mason County Probate Court. She was arraigned in Mason County 79th District Court on Friday, Nov. 13 on the following charges:

Eight counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult - $1,00 or more but less than $20,000, a five-year felony and/or a $10,000 find, or three times the value of the money or property involved, whichever is greater;

One count of vulnerable adults-caregiver commingling funds/obstructing investigations , a two-year high court misdemeanor and/or a $2,000 find, or three times the value of the money or property involved, whichever is greater;

Three counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult - $200 or more but less than $1,000, a one-year misdemeanor and/or a $2,000 fine, or three times the value of the money or property involved, whichever is greater.

“Cases like this are precisely why my office has a unit specifically charged with evaluating reports of elder abuse and why there are a number of assistant attorneys general and investigators assigned to pursue bad actors,” said Nessel. “It is appalling that someone the court trusted to look after the finances of these vulnerable adults may have taken advantage of their positions, and I am grateful to the Michigan State Police and especially Trooper Kelsey Case for her perseverance and commitment to finding out the truth. Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force has recommended the certification of guardians to ensure they are qualified to serve the individuals under their care, and I am fully supportive of that measure.”

An investigation of Englebrecht by the Michigan State Police began in 2019 following a referral from Adult Protective Services. Allegedly, Englebrecht embezzled more than $20,000 from the 11 vulnerable adults total. She was appointed as a guardian and/or conservator for the victims from 2017 to 2019 and allegedly used her position of power to take control over the finances of the clients.

Attorney General Nessel made elder abuse a top priority for her administration to tackle, assisting in the creation of the Michigan Elder Abuse Task Force, which outlines recommendations to improve protections for elderly Michiganders. There are currently no qualifications or training necessary to be a guardian, simply an appointment by a judge. Information on the task force can be found HERE.

 

.@MIAttyGen @dananessel Files Embezzlement Charges Against Court-Appointed Professional Guardian ⬇️https://t.co/nYFvCT0WWZ pic.twitter.com/1taxetpnQG

— Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (@MIAttyGen) November 19, 2020

 

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AG Nessel files embezzlement charges against guardian