Elder Fraud Unit arrests NC woman for grand theft and money laundering

May 22, 2026

Case #: 2026-001198

A Charlotte, North Carolina, woman was arrested this week for her alleged role in scamming a 66-year-old Bradenton man out of at least $100,000. 

May 18, 2026, Elder Fraud Detective Jim Curulla, with assistance from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, arrested Elizabeth Ann Hildbrand, 51, on charges of Grand Theft and Money Laundering. Hildbrand is awaiting extradition to Manatee County. 

The victim filed a fraud report with BPD in February 2026. He reported investing approximately $300,000 over two years with an online company called "Tesla 1." The victim realized he'd been scammed after attempting to withdraw money from his "Tesla 1" investment account. 

The victim reported communicating via text messages and the Telegram app with two individuals acting as "brokers," including Hildbrand. Financial records indicated the victim transferred a total of $87,651 through wire transfers and cashier's checks to bank accounts owned by Hildbrand. Additionally, the victim purchased Apple gift cards totaling $22,500 and provided the card numbers and PINs to the "brokers." He also mailed an undetermined amount of cash. 

Subpoenas for Hildbrand's financial records indicated she deposited much of the victim's money into her accounts and subsequently made numerous cryptocurrency transactions. 

Following her arrest, Hildbrand agreed to speak with Detective Curulla. She stated she believed she was romantically involved with "Elon Musk" and agreed to help the billionaire purchase cryptocurrency. Hildbrand said she later realized she had become the victim of a romance scam; however, investigators determined she continued to accept money from the Bradenton victim and transfer the funds into cryptocurrency. 

The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report shows that Cyber-related crimes cost Americans nearly $21 billion last year. Actual losses are likely significantly higher because many scams go unreported. Investment scams and romance scams ranked among the top five most commonly reported and costliest online scams. 

In 2025, cases investigated by BPD's Elder Fraud Unit accounted for approximately $8 million in reported losses. So far this year, the unit has investigated losses of at least $750,000 (as of May 1, 2026).  

For information on the Bradenton Police Department Elder Fraud Unit, as well as resources to protect yourself against common scams, visit Bradentonpd.com/Elder-Fraud-Unit. 

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Elder Fraud Unit arrests NC woman for grand theft and money laundering 

Bratt Woman Accused Of Elderly Exploitation, Grand Theft, Credit Card Fraud

A Bratt woman is accused of two felonies for allegedly using an elderly man’s debit card over five dozen times without his permission.

Sara Jo Workman, 43, was charged with exploitation of elderly, felony credit card fraud, grand theft, misdemeanor credit card fraud, fraud/impersonation, and larceny of a credit card. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning with bond set at $17,500.

Workman allegedly took possession of a debit card belonging to a 77-year-old McDavid man’s account. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Workman used the card with the name of the victim’s deceased wife 63 times in about a month in 2024 to purchase items, goods and services to totalling $1,960.

The victim told deputies that Workman had stayed in their home and worked for the couple.

The victim was alerted by his bank of suspicious charges and also noticed a $50 transaction to Escambia River Electric Cooperative. With the assistance of his bank, the victim determined that the payment was for electric service at Workman’s home on Ashcraft Road in Bratt.

Deputies were at first unable to locate Workman but were unable to interview her with the assistance of the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office when she had an unrelated court appearance in Brewton.

Investigators noted in their report that information was provided to other jurisdictions in reference to possible charged for use of the card outside of Escambia County, Florida.

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Bratt Woman Accused Of Elderly Exploitation, Grand Theft, Credit Card Fraud 

Hospice worker accused of exploiting patient, steals $7K

by Skyler Shepard

On March 7, deputies arrested the 57-year-old woman, who now faces exploitation of an elderly person, fraudulent use of personal information, grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and uttering a forged instrument. (HCSO)

TAMPA, Fla. (CBS12) — A hospice worker is accused of financially exploiting a hospice patient under her care.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said deputies responded to a delayed fraud report on March 4 on Clubhouse Circle, where the victim, receiving hospice care, reported being defrauded by a home health assistant.

The sheriff's office said the fraudulent activity reportedly began on January 28. The suspect, identified as Shawn Livingston, allegedly persuaded the victim to use Zelle for service payments and manipulated the transactions to transfer money to her accounts, pay her creditors, and make payments to Carnival Cruises, stealing more than $7,000.

"The actions of this individual are unacceptable and despicable. Preying on a hospice patient, someone who relies on others for care and support, is a heartless and disgraceful betrayal," said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

On March 7, deputies arrested the 57-year-old woman, who now faces exploitation of an elderly person, fraudulent use of personal information, grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and uttering a forged instrument.

"We are committed to protecting our most vulnerable residents," said Sheriff Chronister. "Let this serve as a clear message: this kind of abuse has no place in our community, and we will do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice."

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Hospice worker accused of exploiting patient, steals $7K

Florida woman arrested, accused of assaulting elderly employer after being denied $500 bonus

A woman is facing felony charges after detectives said she allegedly assaulted an elderly woman who refused to pay her a $500 Christmas bonus. Heather Nelson, 29, is now facing more than half a dozen charges, including robbery, aggravated battery, forgery, fraud, and grand theft, according to the Brevard County Clerk of the Court.

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Florida woman arrested, accused of assaulting elderly employer after being denied $500 bonus

Fake nurse worked at multiple hospitals in L.A. County, police say

by: Travis Schlepp

(KTLA) — Police have arrested a woman who they say has been posing as a nurse and working at hospitals throughout Los Angeles County without a license.

The Burbank Police Department announced Thursday that Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, of Virginia, allegedly posed as a registered nurse at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and oversaw dozens of patients for an entire month.

Porter does not hold a nursing license and is currently on federal probation for a fraud conviction in her home state, police said.

She was hired by the Catholic hospital back in April under a false identity. From April 8 to May 8, she oversaw as many as 60 patients before her colleagues discovered she was impersonating a real nurse who lived out of the state.

Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, of Virginia, is shown in this mugshot provided by the Burbank Police Department on Nov. 14, 2024.

She was eventually fired, but not before collecting two paychecks for her fraudulent employment, officials said.

Porter was arrested last week after she was released from custody for allegedly pulling the same stunt at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita. Investigators said she’s obtained employment with several hospitals using false identities.

Both hospitals released statements to KTLA in which they stated Porter was terminated immediately after the truth about her identity and qualifications was revealed.

She was under a probationary phase of her employment and was under the supervision of a qualified training nurse during her time at both hospitals. Neither health care facility believed the care she administered during her brief time on their payrolls was inadequate, officials said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple felony charges against her, officials said, including identity theft, false impersonation, and grand theft.

She’s currently being held without bail at the Los Angeles County Central Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.

She is due to appear in Burbank Municipal Court on Dec. 2, jail records show.

Investigators believe Porter may have committed similar crimes throughout Southern California over the last year, and anyone with information is urged to contact Burbank PD Detective Arias at 818-238-3210.

Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling 800-222-8477.

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Fake nurse worked at multiple hospitals in L.A. County, police say

Broward State Attorney's Office employee and son accused of trying to exploit elderly veteran

Debarris James, a former employee of Freeman Macon Funeral Home, alongside his mother, Josephine Brown, is accused of trying to con the elderly owner of his business

By Amy Viteri

An employee with the Broward State Attorney's office and her son are in jail after authorities said they tried to steal a business from an elderly veteran. 

Josephine Brown and her son Debarris James are accused of targeting the then 94-year-old inside a nursing facility. 

“It's been very disheartening,” the man’s daughter, Mary Macon Scott, told NBC6.

Her father, Richard Macon, ran Freeman Macon Funeral Home, one of the oldest funeral homes in Pompano Beach, for decades. 

“It's been there at least 50 years,” she said.

Her father is now 95 and living at a skilled nursing facility due to his dementia, Scott said.

Broward Sheriff's Office

Booking photos of Debarris James and Josephine Brown

In November of last year, a former employee of the funeral home and his mother — a legal assistant at the Broward State Attorney’s office — tried to con Macon out of his property, investigators with the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Crimes Against Property Unit said.

“On Nov. 3, Debarris James, along with his mother, Josephine B., entered that facility with the intent of stealing the funeral home,” said investigator William Golding with the property appraiser’s office. 

According to the arrest affidavit, the pair even recorded a video of what they did next.   

“He was able to allegedly get our victim to sign a quit claim deed to the funeral home,” Golding said. “To the name of Debarris James and Josephine Brown. His mother was actually the notary.”

Macon was under the court-ordered guardianship of his daughter Scott because of his cognitive decline.

“We interviewed our victim and he was in no condition to understand what he was signing,” Golding said. “He didn't even understand some of the questions that we were asking of him.”

Investigators at the county property appraiser's office flagged the deed, which seemed suspicious. Then James himself reached out, they said.

“The defendant in this matter actually called me,” said property appraiser Marty Kiar. “He said…'I don't know why you guys haven't put this in my name yet.'"

That’s because his office was already investigating due to red flags, Kiar said.

The property was never transferred to James. A spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office said Brown, an employee since March of 2001, was suspended without pay Friday after turning herself in to authorities. She was scheduled to retire in August. 

Scott said her father, an Army veteran and former school teacher, has a legacy of helping his community.  

“He helped so many people,” she said. “And to for someone to, go after him to try to steal, especially, you know, his business, his livelihood. That's appalling.”

James and Brown are facing several charges, including exploitation of an elderly person, grand theft, organized fraud and filing of false documents.

In bond court on Saturday, a judge set James' bond at $37,500 and Brown's at $15,000.

Full Article & Source:
Broward State Attorney's Office employee and son accused of trying to exploit elderly veteran

Home health care worker stole elderly Miami-Dade client's condo: Prosecutors

Dahamara Cuervo Alonso, 48, was arrested Tuesday on charges of grand theft over $100,000, exploitation of elderly and organized scheme to defraud over $50,000

By NBC6

A home health care worker was arrested after prosecutors said she exploited an elderly client, transferring ownership of the Miami-Dade condo where the 86-year-old woman lives with her disabled son.

Dahamara Cuervo Alonso, 48, was arrested Tuesday on charges of grand theft over $100,000, exploitation of elderly and organized scheme to defraud over $50,000.

Miami-Dade Corrections

Dahamara Cuervo Alonso

According to the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, Cuervo Alonso was brought in as a home health care aide to assist the two victims, including the mother who suffers from advanced cognitive issues and her 51-year-old disabled son who suffers with a number of medical and physical issues which substantially limit his mobility.

Cuervo Alonso would routinely request the clients to sign documents to verify the hours she worked, which is a common practice in the home health care industry.

The documents were always in English but the only language the mother and son could read or speak was Spanish.

The son said Cuervo Alonso told him and his mother to sign the documents so that she could "get paid" for her services, but neither one read the documents, prosecutors said.

In August of 2023, the son said he saw a YouTube video of a story about a fraudulent quit claim deed completed on a property without the knowledge of the property owner.

After seeing the video, he looked up the condo's property information online and discovered that it was now in Cuervo Alonso’s name, prosecutors said.

He notified authorities who found the fraudulent quit claim deed that was prepared by Cuervo Alonso and was written in English.

Investigators said Cuervo Alonso had been assigned to the victims for less than a year and had no relationship with them besides the health care services she provided.

"Cuervo Alonso took advantage of her position as victim’s trusted caregiver to unlawfully trick the victims into signing a document which they did not understand," the state attorney's office said in a news release.

Cuervo Alonso, of Miami Gardens, was arrested by the state attorney's office Elderly and Vulnerable Adult Unit.

"This fraudulent property transfer of an 86-year-old woman’s condo was not just the theft of her home, but also the theft of the home of her 51-year-old disabled son who resided with her," Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement. "It is a sad comment when owning your home, free and clear, does not provide for your future financial security but instead makes you a target for an alleged thief. Cases like this are the reason my Elder and Vulnerable Adult Unit was created. As I have said before, in this community, we will not tolerate the victimization of our elder and vulnerable residents. Far too many of our residents are vulnerable to such exploitation."

Jail records showed Cuervo Alonso was being held on a $45,000 bond. Attorney information wasn't available.

Full Article & Source:
Home health care worker stole elderly Miami-Dade client's condo: Prosecutors

Hialeah man accused of stealing $50K from 95-year-old mom in exploitation case

Manuel C. Diaz Hernandez, 72, is facing charges including exploitation of an elderly person in an amount over $50,000, grand theft of a person over 65, organized scheme to defraud and unlawful use of a two-way communications device, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said Wednesday 

By NBC6

Manuel C. Diaz Hernandez

A Hialeah man has been arrested after authorities said he exploited his 95-year-old mother out of tens of thousands of dollars, leaving her unable to pay her rent.

Manuel C. Diaz Hernandez, 72, is facing charges including exploitation of an elderly person in an amount over $50,000, grand theft of a person over 65, organized scheme to defraud and unlawful use of a two-way communications device, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said Wednesday.

Authorities said the victim had been living alone in her Miami apartment following the death of her 92-year-old husband after 40 years of marriage and had collected more than $57,000 from a settlement related to his death.

The victim had asked her deceased husband's adopted son to help her with the settlement money, and he came to Miami to assist her in opening a bank account.

Meanwhile, Diaz Hernandez, who hadn't had significant contact with his mother until her husband's death, began taking an interest in her and convinced her he was better able to assist her since he was a "blood relative," authorities said.

Diaz Hernandez was added to his mother's bank account, then helped her move $50,000 of the settlement money to a joint account, prosecutors said.

After the money was moved, $7,000 disappeared, and between March and August of 2022, the balance dropped to zero, leaving the elderly mother with no way to pay her rent.

"All the money was gone. And the little bitty fortune that her husband left was basically gone," the victim's stepson, Andres Ramos Jr., told NBC6.

The State Attorney's Office was able to find emergency housing for the woman.

“It is always inconceivably sad when a son, or a daughter, or another family member sees an elderly relative as an exploitable target," State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement. "Too many of our older residents are vulnerable to exploitation. In this case, our Elder and Vulnerable Adult Unit was able to intervene to keep the victim housed. Today’s arrest is another strong statement by my office and our law enforcement community that we will not tolerate the victimization of our elder and vulnerable residents."

Diaz Hernandez was booked into jail. Attorney information wasn't available.

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Hialeah man accused of stealing $50K from 95-year-old mom in exploitation case

Elderly woman exploited by caretaker in South Florida

By Michael Hudak

MIAMI (WSVN) - A woman who was hired to take care of an elderly woman is facing several felony charges after, officials said, she financially exploited the woman for over $100,000.

Officials with the State Attorney’s Office announced the charges during a press conference, Tuesday afternoon.

Eighty-one-year-old Myriam Fernandez, officials said, fell prey to exploitation by her caretaker, 61-year-old Gladys Smith, who now faces three first-degree felonies, including the exploitation of the elderly and grand theft of over $100,000.

“To scammers, these homes are like buried treasure, and like the pirates of the past, they work to unearth and steal that fortune,” said state attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle.

Fernandez, who lives with an eye disease, found herself alone after losing her Florida driver’s license following a 2021 car accident. Smith, a former Broward County resident, befriended Fernandez, eventually becoming her caretaker. Due to Fernandez’s impaired vision, she was unable to read documents Smith had her sign, including a power of attorney.

Smith used her power over Fernandez to go on a spree, including posing as Fernandez’s daughter at medical appointments, obtaining dementia medication, and even manipulating property documents.

The exploitation was discovered during a wellness check in May 22, 2023 by Fernandez’s childhood friend, Sylvia Napoli, after an anonymous tip to the Department of Children and Families.

During the check, Fernandez was found in distressing conditions, prompting Napoli to alert authorities.

“In a darken room with the strong odor of urine and feces emanating from her person,” Fernandez-Rundle said.

Napoli went to school with Fernandez in Cuba and were childhood best friends.

“Your being here sends another really strong message,” Fernandez-Rundle said. “Very brave. And feisty, I might add.”

Smith had moved to Tallahassee but was arrested seven months ago. She is expected to be transferred back to Miami-Dade County.

For now, Fernandez-Rundle said they are working to get restitution back in Fernandez’s name but it is not guaranteed she’ll gain it back. 

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Elderly woman exploited by caretaker in South Florida

Senior Exploitation Uncovered: Oakland Caretaker Arrested for Stealing Thousands

By Tony Ng

Jamaika Tyasia Wallace, a 27-year-old caretaker, was arrested for a shocking case of exploitation of an elderly individual in Alameda County.

According to the Alameda County DA reports, Wallace is facing multiple charges, including elder theft, unauthorized use of an account, theft of access card data, grand theft, and identity theft.

The case comes to light following the arrest of Jamaika Wallace by the Berkeley Police Department on August 10, 2023.

Wallace is accused of stealing a total of $6,154 from an 80-year-old woman whom she had been providing care for, per a tweet by Henry Lee KTVU.

Court records show that at the time of her arrest, Wallace was using the victim's debit card without permission.

As efforts to combat elder abuse continue, Wallace's arrest serves as a stark reminder of the unfortunate reality that many vulnerable seniors face. 

With an arraignment scheduled for August 14, 2023, at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, more details of the case are expected to emerge as the investigation proceeds. 

If convicted, Wallace could face significant penalties, including imprisonment and restitution fees.

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Senior Exploitation Uncovered: Oakland Caretaker Arrested for Stealing Thousands

Ramona Woman Sentenced for Grand Theft

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878

 

Ramona Woman Sentenced for Grand Theft

PIERRE, S.D.  – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced that Melba Jean Bickett of Ramona, S.D. has been sentenced to two years in the South Dakota Women’s Prison after pleading guilty to one count of Grand Theft. Both years were suspended on the condition that Bickett serve 60 days in the Lake County Jail and perform 40 hours of Community Service.

Between Jan.1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2013, while working as a teller for First American State Bank, Bickett took $153,000 from her father’s bank account and moved the money into her bank account or her son’s bank account. All the transactions were done without her father’s permission.

Bickett was sentenced Monday in Kingsbury County Court. She also was ordered to pay back the entire $153,000 to her father’s estate.

The case was investigated by the Lake County Sheriff’s office, the Kingsbury County Sheriff’s office, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and its Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit.

Source:
Ramona Woman Sentenced for Grand Theft

Modesto woman arrested for financial elder abuse, grand theft in Turlock

Catrina Moreno was booked in the Stanislaus County Jail Wednesday on charges of grand theft, obtaining money by false pretenses and financial elder abuse.

Author: Krys Shahin

TURLOCK, Calif. — Turlock police arrested a Modesto woman Wednesday for financial elder abuse and grand theft after an investigation began Sept. 2.

Catrina Moreno was booked in the Stanislaus County Jail on charges of grand theft, obtaining money by false pretenses, and financial elder abuse.

According to authorities, Moreno met the elderly victim on a website when she was looking for a maid service.

The two agreed to work beginning Aug. 24 in the victims' Turlock home. Four days after Moreno began cleaning the home, police say the victim discovered multiple jewelry items missing with an estimated value of over $14,000.

Authorities tracked the items that were allegedly sold and pawned by Moreno and found she had recently sold other high-value items that didn't belong to this victim.

The Turlock Police Department says they believe Moreno has stolen from others when operating her unlicensed cleaning business “Maid2Clean” in the Turlock area.

The Turlock Police Department asks anyone with information to call Detective Matthew Ulrich at (209) 668-6570. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.

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Modesto woman arrested for financial elder abuse, grand theft in Turlock

Disbarred attorney to be sentenced for ex­ploiting elderly Orlando woman

Matthew Roby, 55, pleaded no contest to a charge of exploiting an elderly person after being charged with stealing more than $3 million from Orlando resident Helen Kuhn (shown). (Photo courtesy of the Orange County Sheriff's Office)

By Rebecca Turco

 

ORLANDO, Fla. – Sentencing day is approaching for the disbarred local attorney accused of stealing millions of dollars from an elderly client.

Matthew Roby, 55, is set to be sentenced Sept. 14. Roby took a plea deal in June, choosing not to contest a charge of exploiting an elderly person.

Orange County Sheriff's Office Detective Chris Williams said Roby stole more than $3 million from Helen Kuhn of Orlando, spending around $600,000 of it. Williams said the department was able to recover the rest of the stolen money.

Attorney Matthew Roby stole $3 MILLION from Helen Kuhn by fraudulently getting power of attorney & draining her accounts. Helen died June 8 at the age of 108.
Roby agreed to a plea today for Exploitation of Elderly & Grand Theft.
More: https://t.co/w8xubJefsC pic.twitter.com/VlosTiZJtd

— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 24, 2022

“Mr. Roby had a lot of bank accounts, and so going through all of the records, you had to track down where the money was coming from, where the money was going to,” Williams explained. “And then from there, where it was going to again and to again. And that was his pattern.”

“It was almost like a little quasi-money laundering scheme he was running with all of his other accounts,” Williams added.

Kuhn, a retired teacher and pilot, died in June at the age of 108, just two weeks before Roby took the plea deal.

As part of the plea deal, the state dropped a grand theft charge and the judge will sentence Roby to no more than five years in prison. He is also on the hook to pay back more than $490,000. 

Kuhn’s best friend, Wanda Jones of Orlando, said she wished Roby had received a harsher punishment.

“I hope he never, ever has the opportunity to take advantage of anyone else again,” she said. “I want to see him on probation for the rest of his life after he gets out."

Jones said she plans to attend Roby’s sentencing.

She described Kuhn, who she affectionately called “Miss Wanda,” as a close friend with a great sense of humor who became a mother figure, with their decades-apart age difference.

AARP has resources on how seniors can protect themselves against fraud. Anyone who believes they, or someone they know, are the victim of elder financial fraud, can call the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360.

They can also call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11.

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Disbarred attorney to be sentenced for ex­ploiting elderly Orlando woman

Disbarred Winter Park attorney gets 5 years for stealing $3M from elderly client

by Brenda Argueta

Matthew Roby (Orange County Sheriff's Office)

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A disbarred Winter Park attorney received prison time after agreeing to a plea deal for stealing $3 million from an elderly client.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Matthew Roby was arrested in 2021 and agreed to the plea deal Friday for exploitation of an elderly person and grand theft of more than $100,000.

Deputies said Roby stole from Helen Kuhn, a client of his, by fraudulently getting a power of attorney and “draining her accounts.”

The sheriff’s office said more than $2.4 million of the stolen funds were able to be recovered.

Officials said there may be more victims. Anyone with information is asked to call 407-836-4357.

Full Article & Source:

Disbarred Winter Park attorney gets 5 years for stealing $3M from elderly client

Second arrest in alleged theft by funeral home worker of 84-year-old client's home and life savings

A second person has been arrested for allegedly defrauding an 84-year-old man who has Alzheimer's disease out of his home and life savings, CBS Miami reports.

 

Police say Andy Mora is one of two people who persuaded the elderly victim to sign over the house and funds, claiming to him that they were family.

Mora's arrest came a day after police took 57-year-old Maribel Torres into custody.

Authorities say she was a funeral home worker who met the victim while he was making arrangements for his wife the day after she died in August 2019.

It wasn't clear what Mora's relationship was with Torres.

Authorities say Torres not only filed paperwork to take the house but took out business loans under a corporation she created, using the victim's residence and collecting more than $400,000.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle told CBS Miami it all came to light when "a good nephew who went back to check up on his uncle."

The nephew discovered Torres and her son had moved into the victim's home, which he reported to authorities.

The home "has technically been sold and borrowed against," Rundle told CBS Miami.

It will be nearly impossible to get the house back, the station notes.

Mora and Torres are facing several felony charges, including exploitation of an elderly person.

Rundle says she worries there may be other victims.

Full Article & Source:

Second arrest in alleged theft by funeral home worker of 84-year-old client's home and life savings

 

See Also: 

Miami Funeral Home Worker Charged With Exploiting Elderly Man After His Wife's Death 

 

Woman accused of preying on 84-year-old widower to steal his home, police say

Miami Funeral Home Worker Charged With Exploiting Elderly Man After His Wife's Death

Maribel Torres allegedly told the victim she and her son were family members and she was able to obtain his financial paperwork as well as information regarding the status of his home of 40 years

 

By NBC 6

A Miami-Dade funeral home worker found herself behind bars after authorities said she befriended an elderly client after his wife's death and gained access to both the paperwork on his home and his financial affairs, using them to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars through a loan and a balloon mortgage.

Miami-Dade Police and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office's Elderly Exploitation Task Force arrested 56-year-old Maribel Torres on Tuesday and charged her with three counts, including grand theft and organized scheme to defraud.

According to a news release, Torres was an employee at Maspons Funeral Home and met the 84-year-old victim in August 2019 shortly after the death of his wife.

Miami-Dade Corrections

Maribel Torres

The man had been diagnosed the previous year with Alzheimer's and advanced dementia, and his wife had been his primary caregiver, authorities said.

Torres allegedly told the victim that she and her son were family members and she was able to obtain his financial paperwork as well as information regarding the status of his home of 40 years.

Torres and her adult son also allegedly had the victim sign numerous documents so they could be added as owners of the home, and had him sign a power of attorney to provide her with access to his legal and financial matters.

In 2020, the property ownership was changed to a corporation created by Torres that was listed as a car wash business, and Torres used that to obtain a $100,000 balloon mortgage, authorities said.

Last year, Torres' corporation obtained a business loan for $360,000, which was deposited to a bank account controlled by Torres, officials said.

“Utilizing a wife’s death and an obvious impairment as tools to steal an elderly man’s home would seem to be a new low in alleged criminal conduct,” noted State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “Situations like this expose the ugly face of elderly exploitation which targets the frailest members of our community.”

A spokesperson for the Mapsons Funeral Home said in a statement that they suspended Torres indefinitely.

"Our funeral home does not have access to, nor were we ever provided with any of the family’s financial paperwork that is allegedly involved in this case," the statement read in part. "We are deeply concerned for the family, as we have a long tradition of serving this community with compassion, dignity, and professionalism. We are cooperating with Miami-Dade Police in their investigation and will share more information as we receive it."

The victim’s nephew, who lived in Palm Beach County, visited the victim and discovered Torres and her son living at the home recently. When the victim identified Torres and her son as the nephew’s aunt and cousin from Cuba, the nephew notified the authorities.

Torres and her son are not related to the victim and his family. Torres is scheduled to appear in court April 7.

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Miami Funeral Home Worker Charged With Exploiting Elderly Man After His Wife's Death

Woman accused of preying on 84-year-old widower to steal his home, police say

by Andrea Torres

Officers arrested Maribel Torres on Tuesday in Miami-Dade County. (MDCR)

MIAMI – Prosecutors released information on Wednesday about the evidence detectives found after suspecting a 56-year-old woman took advantage of an 84-year-old widower for years in Miami-Dade County.

Detectives accused Maribel Torres of preying on her victim while making funeral arrangements after his wife died in 2019. To gain his trust, the Maspons Funeral Home employee pretended she and her son were relatives from Cuba, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Detectives and prosecutors accused Torres of manipulating the widower — who has Alzheimer’s disease and advanced dementia — into giving her access to his legal and financial matters and transferring ownership of his mortgage-free home of 40 years.

“Utilizing a wife’s death and an obvious impairment as tools to steal an elderly man’s home would seem to be a new low in alleged criminal conduct,” State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement on Wednesday. 

Torres and her son were living in the victim’s home when a nephew who lived in Palm Beach County showed up to visit and became suspicious enough to report them to authorities, according to police. Investigators reported the suspicious transactions were in 2020 and 2021.

“Situations like this expose the ugly face of elderly exploitation which targets the frailest members of our community,” Fernandez Rundle said.

State and county records show Torres registered 5811 SW 25 St LLC as a Florida corporation on Nov. 3, 2020, and transferred the ownership of the home at 5811 SW 25 St., in Miami-Dade’s Coral Way Heights neighborhood on Nov. 10, 2020.

There was a balloon mortgage on the victim’s property for $100,000 and a business loan for $360,000 —utilizing the home as collateral, according to prosecutors with the elderly exploitation task force.

The investigation included a bank account with Torres and her son as the only authorized signers. In 2021, from March 23 to April 8, there were $118,000 in cash withdrawals and $104,627 in deposits in that account, police said.

“Our community will not stand for crimes in which our elderly are exploited,” MDPD Interim director, George A. Perez, said in a statement.

Officers arrested Torres on Tuesday. She is facing charges of first-degree felony exploitation of the elderly or disabled over $100,000, first-degree felony grand theft over $100,000, and third-degree felony organized scheme to defraud. She was released on a $25,000 bond on Wednesday.

Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Wilson Louis contributed to this report.

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Woman accused of preying on 84-year-old widower to steal his home, police say

Former guardian allegedly stole guns, forged appraisal

16-felony count criminal complaint filed

 

There are more legal troubles for former professional guardian Traci Hudson, who was first arrested in 2019 for allegedly exploiting a 92-year-old man under her care.

 

By: Adam Walser

LARGO, FL — There are more legal troubles for former professional guardian Traci Hudson, who was first arrested in 2019 for allegedly exploiting a 92-year-old man under her care.

Sixteen new felony counts were filed against Hudson Wednesday, involving different victims who prosecutors say she exploited while working as their guardian or power of attorney.

Those charges include exploitation of an elderly person, grand theft and perjury.

The majority of the charges stem from the guardianship case of Robert Moore, who a judge appointed Hudson to care for in 2016.

Robert's son Ryan Moore, who lives in Hawaii, says Hudson was appointed to care for his dad after another family member reported he was being exploited by people who moved into his home.

Ryan Moore

"She wasn't honest about anything whatsoever. Everything she said was a lie," Ryan Moore said about Hudson.

Prosecutor: 10 guns stolen, seven still unaccounted for

The state's attorney's office says Hudson removed 10 guns that were stored at Moore's home.

Investigators say Hudson pawned or sold three guns at pawn shops and sold others to individuals.

"You have seven firearms that are unaccounted for," Prosecutor Renee Bauer said at her court hearing Wednesday.

"I asked her about the guns and she said all the guns had been stolen except for one and it was in a police evidence room somewhere," Ryan Moore said.

Prosecutors say the guns and tools valued at more than $8,000 were appraised by a professional appraiser but were not included in documents Hudson presented to a judge.

"The defendant did a cut-and-paste job. She forged and altered that appraisal," Bauer said.

Investigators say Hudson also financially exploited Moore.

WFTS

Criminal information charging document filed against former professional guardian Traci Hudson

Despite receiving $7,200 in monthly income, Ryan Moore says that while under Hudson's care, his dad had no belt, was dressed in thrift store clothes, and had only one pair of worn-out boots.

Ryan said on one visit, the retired military veteran had two coat hangers wrapped around his waist to hold his pants on.

"He had a pair of boots with the soles completely ripped off except for about an inch of the soles on the back of them," Ryan said.

Ryan Moore

Robert Moore's boot while under Hudson's care

Hudson is still awaiting trial on felony charges filed in 2019 when she was accused of stealing more than half a million dollars from another elderly man under her care. Investigators say she used that money to buy a 4,000 square-foot home, jewelry and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tickets.

“This is not her, what we heard in there today”

Hudson's attorney believes prosecutors have it all wrong.

"Traci Hudson is a good person. Family person. She takes care of her father, takes care of her daughter, takes care of her grandchild. This is not her, what we heard in there today. And I'm gonna show that to you," said Richard McKyton, Hudson's attorney.

Ryan Moore says Hudson limited his family's ability to see his dad during his three-year guardianship.

Family members were eventually appointed to care for him after Hudson's arrest, but he died a short time later.

"She totally destroyed my family. And that's what I'd tell her, 'hey you destroyed my family. I hope you sleep well at night, knowing you did that,'" Ryan Moore said.

Currently, Hudson's bond is set at $190,000 on the new charges.

Her attorney has asked for that amount to be reduced. A bond hearing is scheduled for Friday morning.

If you have a story you’d like the I-Team to investigate, email us at adam@abcactionnews.com.

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Former guardian allegedly stole guns, forged appraisal

Former St. Pete trust attorney charged with stealing $279,000 from client

St. Petersburg police said he had been hired to oversee a trust valued at more than $700,000.

Darce Jay Snyder, 68, faces a charge of grand theft. [Pinellas County Sheriff's Office]

By Chris Tisch

A St. Petersburg man who worked as a trust attorney has been arrested and charged with stealing nearly $279,000 from a client.

Darce Jay Snyder, 68, faces a charge of grand theft.

St. Petersburg police said he had been hired to oversee a trust valued at more than $700,000. When his client turned 50 and obtained control of the trust’s assets, she found that Snyder had stolen $279,000 between February and May of 2015. He stole by the money by writing checks from the trust to himself, arrest reports state.

Bay News 9 is reporting that the victim is Valerie Sexton-Maher, 50. She told the station that the trust is actually empty, and that prosecutors can’t charge him for stealing the entire amount because of the statute of limitations.

“Unfortunately, you can’t always trust a trustee on an account,” she told Bay News 9. “They are very good at hiding money.

“What he was charged with is not the full extent of what he took from me,” she added. “At the beginning of the trustee account, there was close to a million dollars in it and that was when my mother passed away in 2001. So, at a conservative rate of interest we would be talking about millions.

“It’s beyond upsetting. It makes me sad that unfortunately my mother trusted this person and thought that he was going to do the right thing for me,” she said. “I’ve prided myself on not touching any money from that trust until I needed it… I planned on using it for my retirement. I’ve had some health issues in the last couple of years and… that money would be a big deal for me now and I don’t have it.”

Snyder’s law license was revoked by the Florida Supreme Court in 2018 after he was accused of withdrawing $1 million in advance fees from another client, according to Bay News 9.

Snyder was being held at the Pinellas County jail on $150,000 bail. An assistant public defender has entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

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Former St. Pete trust attorney charged with stealing $279,000 from client

New York Lawyer Disbarred For $10K Grand Theft in Florida

• Pleaded guilty after taking at least $10,000 from employer
• Florida felony is ‘essentially similar’ to N.Y. felony, triggering disbarment

A New York lawyer who pleaded guilty to grand theft after stealing from his employer in Florida was disbarred by a New York appeals court.

Hilton M. Wiener’s guilty plea qualifies as a “conviction” sufficient to trigger automatic disbarment under New York law, the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, First Department, said April. 23.

The Manhattan lawyer, who isn’t barred in Florida, was working as a paralegal at a law firm in 2010 through 2011 when he misappropriated the funds, the appeals court said.

He pleaded guilty in 2018 and agreed to pay $20,000 in restitution and take part in a pretrial intervention program in order to defer prosecution, it said. If he successfully completed the program, his plea would be vacated and the case dismissed.

But he was kicked out of the program about two months later after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, the court added.

The New York grievance committee argued that his guilty plea for the theft triggered automatic disbarment in New York. Wiener argued that there was no actual conviction so he can’t be automatically disbarred, according to the appellate panel’s ruling..

The court admitted this was a “unique scenario” because the Florida court didn’t issue a final judgment of conviction due to the deferred prosecution deal.

But his guilty plea nevertheless qualifies as a conviction, it said. New York law “clearly defines a conviction as occurring at the time a guilty plea is entered,” it said. And state law provides for automatic disbarment of an attorney convicted of a felony.

Wiener’s Florida felony conviction for grand theft in the third degree is “essentially similar” to the New York felony of grand larceny in the third degree because “the plain meaning of both statutes criminalize the knowing, wrongful taking or obtaining of property of another with intent to deprive,” the court said.

It ordered Wiener’s disbarment effective retroactively to the date of his 2018 guilty plea.

The case is Matter of Wiener, 2020 BL 151083, N.Y. App. Div., No. M-7534, 4/23/20.

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New York Lawyer Disbarred For $10K Grand Theft in Florida