ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” Actress Suffers From Dementia
Allegations Of Using Romance To Take Advantage
Victim Has Been Taken Advantage Of Before
Seniors and persons of all ranks of life may be victims of financial elder abuse. Abuse strikes across all genders and socioeconomic groups. When celebrities are the victims, naturally the stories of their abuse grab headlines. The latest of these well-known victims is Edie McClurg, the well-beloved actress from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” who played the secretary to Dean Rooney. According to papers filed with the court concerning Ms. McClurg, she was diagnosed with dementia some years ago and is under a conservatorship. The family claims she is being taken advantage of, as discussed below. The case illustrates how persons can enter vulnerable seniors’ lives under the guise of romance in order to take advantage of them for financial gain. Any wrongful taking of a senior or dependent adult’s property is a crime and grounds for civil liability. California Penal Code § 368 and Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30 (definition of financial elder abuse). If you or a loved one is a victim of elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect in Sonoma County or elsewhere in California call us today at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Family Allegations of Financial Elder Abuse
In the widely reported case regarding Ms. McClurg, [1] her family members have alleged that she has been abused by a man claiming to be a “long time” friend who reportedly attempted to take her out of California to marry her. The documents — filed in the Superior Court of California — claim the alleged abuser has been living at the 76-year-old’s Los Angeles home since 2017. According to case documents, the defendant is unemployed and does not pay rent or any expenses and was able to “finagle” his way into McClurg’s life, reportedly attempting to move her out of California in order to marry her despite her dementia diagnosis. The documents also claim the man allegedly “sexually assaulted” McClurg’s current caregiver, with a report filed with the LA Police Department. In addition, the caregiver was “worried” that the man “has or may be assaulting the Conservatee and that she may not even know that it is happening to her,” according to the court filings. McClurg is under conservatorship and got protection from a judge — as per the documents — who ordered that the man “may not enter into a valid marriage” with McClurg.
A 2019 neuropsychological evaluation report obtained by newspapers reporting the story said that McClurg “suffers from a progressive, unreversible neurodegenerative disorder.” The report outlined prior instances in which McClurg was allegedly taken advantage of, including by a married contractor who did work on her home and later reportedly “proceeded to live” in her home, claiming to be “her boyfriend.” The contractor’s wife allegedly “began calling the patient and even stalking the patient” before McClurg’s cousin intervened.
Protecting Seniors From Financial Abuse
The sad story of Ms. McClurg underscores how important family is in protecting an elderly person with dementia from all sorts of persons who would take advantage of the person. Stay involved in any senior loved one’s life so a stranger or purported romantic interest does not have the opportunity for manipulation, and possible financial exploitation.
Contact Us
If you sense any kind of abuse of an older loved one in Napa or anywhere else in the Bay Area or throughout the State of California, call us right away. Ingrid M. Evans has years of experience in representing seniors and their families against abusers of any kind, including in-home caregivers. You can reach us at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the case in any way.
