Rumford woman accused of abusing, financially exploiting elderly family member, police say

Story by WMTW

RUMFORD, Maine (WMTW) - A Maine woman is facing multiple charges in connection with allegations of elder abuse and financial exploitation involving a family member, according to authorities.

Sharon Gardner, 59, of Rumford, was arrested Tuesday amid an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Rumford Police Department.

Police said Gardner served as the primary caretaker for an elderly family member and over the course of two weeks, they conducted an investigation with the help of Maine Adult Protective Services, the victim’s financial institution and Rumford Hospital.

According to police, the investigation revealed Gardner diverted more than $1,000 from the elderly family member for her personal benefit.

Gardner also used her family member’s debit card multiple times without authorization, including while the family member was hospitalized, police said.

Police also said Gardner restricted the family member’s access to outside contact, including limiting cellphone use and communication with others.

The Rumford Police Department said Gardner was arrested before the investigation was fully completed due to concerns for the family member’s welfare and the apparent scope of the exploitation.

Gardner has been charged with endangering the welfare of a dependent person and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, which are both Class C felonies, as well as a Class D misdemeanor of misuse of identification.

Police said Gardner was held at the Oxford County Jail on $1,000 cash bail. She has since been arraigned and released pending trial, with a court order prohibiting further contact with the family member.

The investigation remains active and police said additional charges against Gardner and other potential co-conspirators are possible as investigators continue to uncover further evidence of exploitation and theft.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of such crimes, or who suspects someone they know may be, is asked to call the Rumford Police Department at 207-364-4551 or Maine Adult Protective Services at 1-800-624-8404.

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Rumford woman accused of abusing, financially exploiting elderly family member, police say

Mass. man accused of embezzling more than $300K from elderly family member

“This case illustrates one of the most common forms of elder abuse, the financial exploitation by a trusted family member.”

By Dialynn Dwyer

A Chelmsford man was arraigned Monday on charges he embezzled more than $300,000 from an elderly family member, authorities announced. 

Eric Borghetti, 51, pleaded not guilty to five counts of embezzlement by a fiduciary, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office said in a statement. 

Prosecutors allege that in September 2019, Borghetti was living with the elderly woman at her Chelmsford home when a fire destroyed the house and injured the victim. Shortly afterward, she allegedly appointed Borghetti to serve as her fiduciary, acting in her best interests, with a Durable Power of Attorney. 

“The language of the DPOA did not authorize Mr. Borghetti to receive compensation or gifts in connection with his duties under the DPOA,” the DA’s office said. 

Shortly after the appointment, Borghetti allegedly added himself to the victim’s bank account. Prosecutors allege that after the woman’s insurance company deposited $175,750 to her account, Borghetti used transfers, deposits, and withdrawals to embezzle the woman’s money from four different accounts, including one single alleged withdrawal of $84,000. 

Borghetti is accused of embezzling $328,500 before his family member realized what he was allegedly doing and reported it, officials said. 

“This case illustrates one of the most common forms of elder abuse, the financial exploitation by a trusted family member,” Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a statement. “While these violations of trust may not initially be suspected among family members, this case shows the importance of acting quickly if you are concerned. Here, this defendant seized an opportunity following a large insurance settlement and was able to embezzle a huge amount of money in a matter of a few months.”

Following his arraignment, Borghetti was released on his own personal recognizance on the condition that he not travel outside New England, surrender existing passports, and not apply for any new passports. He will return to court on April 24. 

Attorney information for Borghetti was not immediately available.

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Mass. man accused of embezzling more than $300K from elderly family member

Keokuk woman sentenced to probation in theft case

Laura Hawkins

QUINCY -- A Keokuk, Iowa, woman must pay $18,000 in restitution for stealing from an elderly family member living in a Quincy nursing home.

Laura Hawkins, 56, was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Charles Burch in Adams County Circuit Court to 30 months of second-chance probation, a form of probation where a conviction will be removed from a person's record if probation is successfully completed. The terms were agreed to by Assistant State's Attorney Anita Rodriguez and Hawkins' attorney, Curtis Dial.

A hearing was expected to Wednesday to review restitution, but both sides agreed to the $18,000 in restitution. The probation will end early if Hawkins pays the restitution, and Burch agreed to let her transfer probation to Iowa.

Hawkins was found guilty of theft in a stipulated bench trial last month before Burch. Two counts of financial exploitation of the elderly were dismissed.

After Hawkins' arrest in February 2016, the Quincy Police Department said it was notified by Sycamore Healthcare of a 77-year-old resident who was possibly being exploited by a family member with power of attorney for the resident. An investigation found that several thousand dollars had been misused.

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Keokuk woman sentenced to probation in theft case

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Keokuk woman convicted of theft from elderly relative

Keokuk woman convicted on theft charge

Keokuk woman convicted of theft from elderly relative

Laura Hawkins

QUINCY -- A Keokuk, Iowa, woman was convicted of a theft charge Wednesday stemming from allegations that she stole from an elderly family member living in a Quincy nursing home.

Court records show that Laura Hawkins, 56, was found guilty in a bench trial before Judge Charles Burch after she waived her right to a jury trial.

Hawkins was initially charged with two counts of financial exploitation of the elderly, but those charges were dismissed Wednesday.

After Hawkins' arrest in February 2016, the Quincy Police Department said it was notified by Sycamore Healthcare of a 77-year-old resident who was possibly being exploited by a family member acting as a power of attorney for the resident. An investigation found that several thousand dollars allegedly had been misused.

Sentencing in the case was set for Sept. 6. Hawkins could be sentenced to two to five years in prison. She is eligible for probation.

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Keokuk woman convicted of theft from elderly relative