ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Alleged Misuse Of Power Of Attorney
Victim Recent Widow And Dementia Sufferer
Allegedly Took $450,000 From Victim
Recently widowed seniors are especially vulnerable to financial elder abuse by all manner of financial predators. If the recently widowed senior also suffers from dementia, the risk is even greater. Financial predators take advantage of lonely, isolated persons suffering in this way and can really wreak havoc on their victims’ financial situation. Financial elder abuse is a crime in and of itself in addition to crimes of theft or fraud or unauthorized credit card use. Whatever the amount or duration, financial elder abuse is a crime and grounds for civil liability for the person taking the money and anyone assisting them. Penal Code § 368 and Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30 (definition of financial abuse). If a senior or dependent person is a victim of financial elder abuse, Evans Law Firm. Inc. can represent the victim and his or her family, and pursue all persons responsible, including anyone assisting in the abuse. We will pursue all available remedies including an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses for bringing suit. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.5. If you or a loved one has been the victim of financial elder abuse in San Francisco or elsewhere in California, call us today at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Husband And Wife Indicted For Stealing $450,000 From Widow With Dementia
In a recently reported case, a former Sheriff’s deputy sergeant and his wife were indicted by a grand jury on felony charges in an elder abuse case, according to prosecutors. “This couple thought they could get away with taking advantage of a woman who lost her husband, was struggling with dementia and welcomed their help,” the prosecutor said. “They betrayed her trust and took care of themselves instead – with her money.” The complaint alleges that the husband, an acting Sheriff’s Deputy at the time, befriended a retired college professor and his wife and helped them move into a nursing home. After the husband died in 2018, according to the complaint, the suspect allegedly persuaded the widow to grant him power of attorney. She had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the time according to authorities. The widow died in 2020, at age 78. Authorities say the widow had named the man as the executor of her estate. The prosecutor’s press release said that the former Sheriff’s Deputy and his wife are believed to have used more than $450,000 of the couple’s money for their personal expenses.
Keeping Older Loved Ones Safe
This case illustrates one piece of advice we constantly offer – never, ever let a stranger or new “friend” or caregiver get involved in an older person’s financial affairs. Ever. Under no circumstances. A stranger or new “friend” may well be ready to financially exploit a senior. A caregiver is there to provide health care and assistance with daily living activities, NOT finances. Never, ever grant a power of attorney or a blank check or a credit or debit card to a caregiver or nursing home staff member. Never allow access to financial or personal information like Social Security Numbers, PINs, or bank account information. Never give a caregiver (or anyone else for that matter) a blank check for anything. Monitor all of a senior’s credit cards and bank accounts online. Every day. Track where your loved one’s Social Security and pension benefits are being deposited. Every month. Have financial statements mailed to your address so others do not have access to you loved one’s business mail. Perhaps most important of all, if you suspect anything wrong, do something about it right away.
Contact Us
If you suspect financial elder abuse of a loved one, friend or neighbor in San Francisco, or elsewhere in California, call Ingrid M. Evans at Evans Law Firm, Inc. at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267). Ingrid pursues all available remedies for families and injured seniors against those responsible.
