Gonzales business owner accused of exploiting elderly clients

Police say Jennifer Delatte, 51, was charged with one count of exploitation of the elderly after allegedly targeting two victims, ages 82 and 83, for financial gain.

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Gonzales business owner accused of exploiting elderly clients  

2 Healthcare Workers Charged With Exploitation of the Elderly

Sophia Monae Shepherd and Chiquita Lashae McGee

VERO BEACH, Florida – Two CNA’s working as healthcare workers were arrested Tuesday on charges of Exploitation of the Elderly, Organized Fraud, and Scheme to Defraud a Financial Institution in Vero Beach, according to the Indian River Shores Police Department.

Sophia Monae Shepherd, 30, and Chiquita Lashae McGee, 29, are accused of opening credit cards in their names, but under the victim’s accounts, with an unlimited line of credit.

The Vero Beach healthcare workers proceeded to charge in excess of $400,000.00 for personal items, to include cosmetic dental work, plastic surgery, cruises, expensive jewelry, clothing, an engine for one of their cars, exotic car rental (a Rolls Royce Ghost for 5 days @ $995.00 per day), hotels in various cities in Florida, and to pay a fine in St. Lucie County.

The total amount for all fraud related to this case is at least $543,973.00. They also fraudulently obtained checks from the victims.

“In December 2017, the Indian River Shores Department of Public Safety received correspondence from the State of Florida Department of Health concerning a possible fraud case against two elderly infirmed residents by their home healthcare workers (Certified Nurses Assistants). The names of the victims are being withheld due to medical privacy concerns,” Chief Rich Rosell said in a statement.

“Detective Sergeant Kip Benham, Detective Ken Barrett, and Officer Rodney Grass were assigned to the case and quickly determined there was substance not only to the allegations of fraud, but that the case fit the criteria set forth in the Exploitation of the Elderly in the Florida Statutes,” Rosell added.

The detectives opened the investigation into the case, focusing on Shepherd and McGee, both from Vero Beach, Florida. The two suspects were employed by a reputable home healthcare company to care for two residents of the John’s Island subdivision of Indian River Shores.

Police said that early in the investigation, one of the victims passed away. Their home healthcare company terminated the two suspects.

However, Shepherd and McGee convinced the victims to allow them to open the credit cards in their names with an unlimited line of credit.

On March 13, 2018, Police Officers from the Indian River Shores Department of Public Safety, assisted by deputies from the Indian River Sheriff’s Office, executed search warrants at the suspects 18th Avenue and 8th Manor residences.

Evidence of the crime was processed by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit and secured by the Indian River Shores Police.

The suspects were arrested and charged with one count each of Exploitation of the Elderly, Organized Fraud, and Scheme to Defraud a Financial Institution.

Shepherd and McGee are currently in the Indian River County Jail without bail pending their first appearance on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

DISCLAIMER: Arrests and mugshots were made public by complaint affidavits, arrest affidavits, and police reports. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty.

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2 Healthcare Workers Charged With Exploitation of the Elderly

Using and abusing

Older adults can fall prey to addiction

Mike Scott was concerned when his mother-in-law suddenly couldn’t keep track of her money.

Her husband recently died of Alzheimer’s disease, and now it seemed she was showing early signs as well. Scott and his wife, Susan, decided their family would start devoting more time to helping her at home.

“Matt and his girlfriend would go over there under the pretense of cleaning her house,” Scott said of his son. “And they were really cleaning house.”

In Vermilion County, 18 percent of residents are aged 65 and older, according to 2016 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This is higher than the U.S.’s percentage of the same age group — less than 15 percent.

The elderly community in Vermilion County is prominent, in part because of the local Veterans Affairs medical center. In a recent Danville City Council meeting, a community member expressed concerns of growing violence and drug use saying, “This is supposed to be a town for retired people.”

Apart from age, the county also has a higher rate of overdose from opioids — about 17 deaths this year compared to Illinois’ average of 13, as shown by a national study from the University of Wisconsin.

Matthew Scott said there was a time he would do anything not to get sick from withdrawal symptoms.

After serving five years in the Marine Corps, he struggled to adjust to civilian life, and eventually turned to heroin when he lost his job.

Then he lost a lot more.

EMPTY BOTTLES, EMPTY BANKS

“I remember thinking that it would be so easy to take her debit card or checkbook,” Matthew said of his grandmother. “It was never in my nature to steal before.”

His father agreed that addiction had turned him into a different person.

“That isn't what the old Matt would have done, that was the Heroin Matt,” Mike said.

Stealing and addiction go hand-in-hand, according to professionals like Susan Perkins. She serves as a clinical director for the Prairie Center, a local treatment center for those with substance abuse and addiction.

Working there for 22 years, she’s seen firsthand the popular drugs that change through the decades.

The '90s were simpler, mostly DUIs and marijuana. Then it was crack cocaine, then methamphetamine. Prescription pills started popping up in the late 2000s, and are still commonly abused. Heroin rose to the local scene around 2010.

Several years later is when Matthew starting using.

He vividly remembers one day in 2015. He was doing chores at his grandmother's house when she gave him her checkbook and sent him to the Family Dollar store to run errands. He used the checks to buy cigarettes and traded them for heroin.

Soon after, Matthew was charged with exploitation of the elderly.

Money isn’t the only thing drug users steal from older adults. Amy Brown, CEO of the CRIS Healthy Aging Center, said one of the services her organization offers is pill-counting.

“Sometimes they may forget to take their medication,” she said. “But if the bottle is empty and their prescription was filled yesterday, that’s obviously a problem.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that people age 65 and older account for more than 30 percent of outpatient spending on prescription medicine, even though these adults make up less than 15 percent of the total U.S. population. These prescription medications can include legal opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

The sheer quantity of painkillers that older adults have access to makes them vulnerable targets.

In total, Matthew Scott said he overdosed nine times. The first eight times were eight consecutive days in a row, then one more time months later.

He was arrested several times, and eventually went to rehab. His time in jail taught him it’s actually easier to go through withdrawal behind bars.

“In jail, the mental anguish at least goes away because you know you can’t get it (heroin),” he said.

Subconsciously, he believes that’s the reason the last time he stole from his family, he specifically stole from his mother’s account.

“I knew she would press charges.”

UNDER-REPORTED

Matthew’s father, who is an alderman on the Georgetown City Council, admits he was reluctant to call the police on his son.

“To be honest, when Matt stole and pawned my tools, that’s not even what bothered me,” Mike Scott said. “I had just worked to put three guys away for doing drugs, and I didn’t even know my son was in the next room shooting up.”

There are several reasons why medication theft and exploitation of the elderly are potentially under-reported crimes. Most obvious, older adults may not even know their medication or money has been stolen. Or, similar to what Mike Scott experienced, they may not want to send a family member to jail, especially if that person is their child or grandchild.

A representative from the American Association of Retired Persons said the organization doesn’t even keep data on this issue.

Danville Public Safety Director Larry Thomason said police work with CRIS Healthy Aging Center when dealing with crimes of this nature.

“Certainly we encourage people to report to police,” he said. “Count a fresh prescription, and make a visual check so you know what 30 pills looks like and what 100 pills looks like.

“Today it’s too easy to use various medications for various purposes.”

From late August to mid-October of this year, the Danville police blotter shows at least two reports of medication theft and one report of exploitation of the elderly.

ROCK BOTTOM

Mike Scott said when Matthew was away in jail and rehab, his grandmother asked about him constantly.

“You tell him I still love him,” Mike recalls her saying.

While Alzheimer’s has since affected the now 79-year-old woman, Matthew said he can still feel his grandmother's affection toward him.

“She talks about forgiveness and I know what she’s referring to,” he said. “The pain of hurting people — of hurting my grandma — it didn’t sink in until after I was clean.”

Matthew, now 32, said it’s been 10 months since he last used drugs, and he credits much of that accomplishment to the support from his family, community and staff at the Prairie Center.

He said everyone has a different rock bottom. For him, it was that he didn’t have anything left; he lost his car and his house, and his wife eventually moved to Indiana with their children.

After one visit, Matthew’s middle son told his grandpa Mike Scott, “I didn’t think I was ever going to see him again.”

Both Scott men consider that moment the turning point in Matthew’s life.

“The best thing we did was put him in jail,” Mike said.

A year ago, he was hesitant to call the police on his son. Now, he wouldn't think twice.

“Don’t wait to call the police,” he advises other parents and grandparents. “You’re killing them.”

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Using and abusing

Nashua woman charged with exploitation of the elderly

DEBORAH BERNARD

NASHUA — A local woman was arrested for allegedly taking financial advantage of a senior she was helping with day-to-day tasks.

Deborah Bernard, 51, of 57 Tyler St., No. 804, was arrested Thursday morning by Nashua police after a months-long investigation prompted by a letter from the Bureau of Elderly Adult Services that expressed concern the victim was being exploited.

According to police, the investigation revealed Bernard made multiple unauthorized withdrawals from the victim’s bank account for her own personal use. In total, more than $1,500 was taken, police allege, but they did not disclose the total.

Financial exploitation of the elderly is a Class A felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.

Bernard’s bail was set at $15,000 cash or surety.

Anyone with information regarding this case can contact Nashua police at (603) 589-1665.

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Nashua woman charged with exploitation of the elderly

70-year-old Fairview woman charged with exploiting elderly or disabled person

FAIRVIEW, N.C. (WLOS) — A 70-year-old Fairview woman is charged with exploiting an elderly or disabled person.

Patsy Jean Steele, 70, of Charlotte Highway in Fairview was arrested on Saturday and charged.

This charge involves two separate offenses: exploitation of a disabled or elder adult through a position of trust or business relationship, and exploitation of a disabled or elder adult lacking capacity. Steel was charged with the former.

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70-year-old Fairview woman charged with exploiting elderly or disabled person

Live Oak man charged with elderly neglect, exploitation

LIVE OAK — The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office charged John Stuart Harrelson with exploitation of elderly person or disabled adult and neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult on March 24.

According to the report, an investigation by the Florida Department of Children and Families found the victim in the care of Harrelson, 60. The suspect was alleged to be mistreating the victim, using her money for his own personal gain and not the victims as well as leaving the victim home alone in a filthy and unsafe residence, prompting the investigation, the report states.

During DCF’s investigation, it found the victim home alone wearing misfitting clothing that were urine and feces soaked and bleach stained and just one shoe, the report states.

Suwannee County Fire Rescue responded to conduct a medical assessment of the victim and determined she was in need of medical assistance, according to the report. The DCF findings stated that the victim was malnourished looking and had no food in the residence other than a half-eaten waffle which had roaches crawling on it, the report states.

According to the report, live and dead roaches were found throughout the house with animal feces and urine throughout as well.

The DCF investigation found, according to the report, that the suspect failed to provide the victim with adequate food/nutrition, clean and adequate clothing, and medicine and medical services that “a prudent person would consider essential for the wellbeing” of the victim.

The report states that the DCF investigation was provided the victim’s bank statements showing numerous large withdrawals from ATMs from January 2016 to January 2017, which the suspect was allegedly using to benefit himself.

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Live Oak man charged with elderly neglect, exploitation

Housekeeper Accused of Exploiting Elderly Person

(Stillwater, Okla.) – A 34-year-old Stillwater woman was charged today with exploitation of an elderly person in Stillwater while she was engaged to provide housekeeping services.

Wendi Kay Walling-Mohiuddin, who has also been known as Wendy Kay Fields, has been accused of entering a 76-year-old woman’s home while providing housekeeping services and using deception to obtain $300 from her on or before April 26, according to the felony charge filed by prosecutor Debra Vincent.

If convicted of exploitation of an elderly person, the housekeeper could be sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $10,000, court records show.

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Housekeeper Accused of Exploiting Elderly Person

2 Former Finance Professionals Charged With Exploiting Seniors

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – State commerce officials are advising senior citizens and their families to be vigilant over their bank accounts after two former finance professionals were charged with exploiting senior clients.

Fifty-four-year-old Paul Bardine, of Minnetrista, and 45-year-old John Heath, of Edina, are charged in separate cases, but each faces a count of theft by swindle.

In addition, Bardine is also accused of insurance fraud, as well as stealing more than $270,000 from several clients, including a 79-year-old woman and couple in their 70s.

Heath faces an additional count of identity theft in a case where he’s accused of stealing more than $220,000 from an 88-year-old client with Alzheimer’s disease.

“These cases are a distressing reminder that seniors are often targeted for financial exploitation, and this threat is expected to grow as the senior population itself grows,” said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, in a statement. “I encourage Minnesota seniors to closely monitor their finances, talk with family members and contact the Commerce Department if anything seems suspicious.”

Authorities say Bardine was a former insurance agent who persuaded several clients to cash out annuities he’d sold them and invest in one of his companies. Bardine then used the money for personal expenses.

As for Heath, a former financial adviser, authorities say he cashed out an annuity owned by his client with Alzheimer’s disease by posing as him in official documents.

Anyone who believes they might be victims of Bardine and Heath is asked to call the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau at 651-539-1617.
 
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2 Former Finance Professionals Charged With Exploiting Seniors

Keokuk woman arrested on elderly exploitation charge

KEOKUK, Iowa -- An Iowa woman was arrested Friday and charged with financial exploitation of the elderly after an investigation by Quincy police.

According to a Quincy Police Department news release, Laura Hawkins, 55, of Keokuk, was arrested in Keokuk. Police said they were notified by Sycamore Healthcare of a 77-year-old resident who was possibly being financially exploited by a family member who was acting as a power of attorney for the person. An investigation found that several thousand dollars allegedly had been misused.

Hawkins was released on a notice to appear. Her first appearance in Adams County Circuit Court has not been scheduled.

The Keokuk Police Department assisted with the investigation.

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Keokuk woman arrested on elderly exploitation charge 

Puxico caregiver charged with exploitation of the elderly

Jerri Greenlee

PUXICO, Mo. -- On Nov. 30, 2015, the Stoddard County Sheriff's Office responded to a call in the Puxico, Mo. area in reference to stolen checks. On arrival, Deputy Travis Stafford met with the victim, a 91 year old female.

The victim stated she received a statement from her bank and it showed there had been several checks written on her account that she had not written. The victim stated she checked her box of checks and discovered there were some checks missing. The victim stated she thought it might be one of the females that works for the in home services for the disabled that comes to her home. The daughter of the victim stated that her mother seldom ever writes checks on the account and if her mother needs something from town she does her shopping for her. The daughter also stated that her mother lives on a fixed income and all the money in her mother's account is now gone.

On looking at several returned checks it was noted that some had been written to Dollar General Store in Puxico. After looking at surveillance videos at Dollar General Store and speaking with Genisis Home Care Services it was determined that the person passing the victim's checks was Jerri Greenlee of Puxico who is also an employee of Genesis Home Health Care. Several other fraudulent checks were collected from the bank.

Jerri Greenlee, age 26, was arrested and transported to the Stoddard County Jail where she remains at this time. Greenlee is charged with Class B Felony of financial exploitation of the elderly. Bond set at $7,500.00 cash only.

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Puxico caregiver charged with exploitation of the elderly

Housekeeper charged with exploiting elderly employer, held without bond

Alexis Ragan Evans

A Rome woman was picked up Monday on a warrant accusing her of taking checks on the account of a person she had been hired to do housekeeping for.

According to Floyd County Jail reports:

Alexis Ragan Evans, 33, of 100 Azalea St., is charged with felony exploitation of the elderly.

The warrant for her arrest states that she cashed a number of unauthorized checks over a three-week period this fall, causing the victim’s account to be overdrawn. It does not detail how much money was involved.

Evans was being held in jail without bond Monday night.

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Housekeeper charged with exploiting elderly employer, held without bond

House keeper charged with exploitation of elderly woman

Opal Elaine Tillman

Jefferson County, Ala. — Family members of an 87 year old Jefferson County woman believe her house keeper took advantage of her by isolating her from them and steeling her money.

Opal Elaine Tillman, of Morris, starting working part-time for the victim in 2011. As the victim's health started to decline, her husband allowed Tillman to assume more responsibilities. At that time, it is believed Tillman used the victim's bank account for personal gain. Family members also noticed items missing from the victim's home. When they asked her husband, he told them Tillman convinced them to let her sell the items. Tillman said she would put the money into their account, but not deposits were found.

After complaints from the family, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office began investigating in December of 2014. The investigation revealed cash and property exceeding $60,000 had been stolen. On November 4, 2015, a warrant for the arrest of Tillman was issued. She was arrested and charged with Financial Exploitation of the Elderly. Tillman has since posted $30,000 bond and was released from jail.

Investigators with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office believe Tillman may be connected to additional crimes in Jefferson County. If you have information, call investigators at (205) 325-1450.

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House keeper charged with exploitation of elderly woman

See Also:
Housekeeper charged with stealing $60k from elderly Jeffco couple

PSL woman charged with exploiting elderly

PORT ST. LUCIE - A Port St. Lucie woman with power of attorney for a woman and her recently deceased sister allegedly ran up more than $20,000 in fraudulent charges on their credit cards, authorities said.

Evelyn Millet, 48, who lives in the 7200 block of Pine Lakes Boulevard, was charged with exploitation of the elderly. A judge signed a warrant for her arrest on Tuesday, and she surrendered at the St. Lucie County Jail on Wednesday. She was released on a $15,000 bond.

Millet worked at a senior living facility in Port St. Lucie where the two women lived, and they gave her power of attorney after they moved from the facility, according to a warrant affidavit.

A power of attorney allows someone to handle the finances of another person for that person’s benefit, but Millet used the credit cards for her own benefit, the affidavit said.

The godson of one of the women called the Florida Division of Children and Families after seeing the high card balances, it said, and DCF called police in June.

Millet told police she had permission to use the cards as compensation for her assistance as long as she paid the money back, and said she was working on repayment, it said.

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PSL woman charged with exploiting elderly