Tag: Financial exploitation
PA Attorney Accused Of $311K Theft From Client Kills Himself During Standoff: DA
A Pennsylvania attorney accused of stealing over $311,000 from a dead client’s estate shot himself during a dramatic police standoff at his law office and later died from his wounds, authorities announced on Thursday, June 5.
Attorney, former Allegheny County sheriff candidate and former district judge candidate in Export, Robert C. Klingensmith, 61, of Murrysville, was charged on May 29 with felony theft and financial exploitation of an older adult after investigators uncovered a pattern of abuse while he acted as the woman’s attorney, power of attorney, and executor, according to the Westm…
$3.7M Stolen From PA Elderly Woman’s Estate, Blown On Luxury Travel, Plastic Surgery: DA
A Flourtown man is accused of exploiting an elderly woman with dementia and stealing more than $3.7 million from her estate to fund a lavish lifestyle, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced on Wednesday, April 23.
James Batt, 66, was charged with Felony Financial Exploitation of an Older Adult, Felony Theft by Unlawful Taking, Felony Receiving Stolen Property, Felony Misapplication of Entrusted Property, and Felony Theft by Failure to Make Required Dispositions, according to court documents.
Prosecutors say Batt abused his position as executor and trustee of the late…
Father-Daughter Duo Who Stole $230K From Elderly Victim In Kingston Dodges Prison
A father and daughter who scammed a 92-year-old woman out of more than $230,000 in Ulster County won’t spend a day in prison.
Frank Whittaker, 56, of Kingston, and his daughter, Christine Ellsworth, 39, of Accord, were sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution in Ulster County Court on Tuesday, March 4.
The daddy-daughter duo gained the victim’s trust by helping with yard work and household tasks, according to the New York Attorney General’s office. Over time, Whittaker convinced the woman to grant him Power of Attorney over her finances.
But instead of managing her money resp…
Hanover Daughter, Son-In-Law Trap Mom Behind Dog Gate During Vacation: PA AG
In a horrifying case of betrayal and neglect, Ashlee and Brian Brady, both 32, of Hanover, are charged with locking Ashlee’s elderly mother in a basement behind a dog gate with only hot dogs and water, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.
The woman, found soiled and confined in February 2024, was rescued by Emergency Medical Services after a relative’s desperate call. Investigators say the Bradys abandoned her during an overnight family getaway and spent over $10,000 of her money on vacations, alcohol, and personal luxuries.
Ashlee Brady, entrusted with power of att…
Estate Executor Steals $27K+ From Elder, Ephrata Police Say
An estate executor has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with a nearly $28,000 theft, the Ephrata Police Department announced on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Dervin L. Bender, 58, of Ephrata, is accused of stealing $27,760 from an estate for which he was an executor over two years, the police alleged.
He has been charged with felonies for Theft by Unlawful Taking and Financial Exploitation of an Adult or Care-Dependent Person, according to the police.
Bender's preliminary arraignment was held before Magisterial District Judge Landis on Tuesday, Oct. 15, according to the police. …
Hudson Valley Caregiver Steals $164K From Elderly Victim, DA Says
A Hudson Valley woman was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison for stealing thousands from a man she was supposed to be a caregiver for.
Dutchess County resident Sabrina Aboshanab, age 33, of Wappingers Falls, was sentenced on Wednesday, Aug. 14, and ordered to pay $164,332.26 in restitution, said Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi.
Aboshanab became acquainted with the victim around 2017 and eventually moved into his home, where she lived rent-free in exchange for agreeing to act as a caregiver for the 81-year-old, who had no relatives to assist him, court docum…
Carlisle Dad Accused Of Raping, Financially Exploiting Special Needs Person
A Carlisle dad with a criminal record has been charged in connection with rape and financial exploitation of a care-dependent person, among other charges, according to his social media and a police announcement on June 21.
Waren Daniel Mena, 31, was arrested on June 20, "after a multi-month investigation," with the assistance of the Carlisle Borough Police Department, the Middlesex Township Police stated in a release.
Mena has been charged with rape of a mentally disabled person, indecent sexual assault of a person with a mental disability, financial exploitation of a care-dependent p…
Woman Stole Thousands From 89-Year-Old's Bank Account, Berks DA Says
A Pennsylvania woman has been arrested for financially exploiting a senior she had the power of attorney over, police said.
Mary S. Shealer, 58, is charged with multiple felony counts related to theft, Berks County DA John Adams said.
According to forensic auditors, Shealer drew checks totaling $9,600 from the victim's bank account in 2019 and 2020, without the victim's knowledge or consent, Adams said. Authorities were notified of the incidents in August 2021, according to the DA.
Shealer surrendered to Berks County detectives on an arrest warrant on Thursday, June 13, the DA's …
Berks Woman Stole Thousands From Elderly Victim's Bank Account, Prosecutors Say
A Reading woman is accused of defrauding a senior out of thousands of dollars, says the Berks County District Attorney's Office.
Tracy Hoffman, 58, is charged with felony financial exploitation of an older adult, identity theft, forgery, and related counts, according to prosecutors.
Investigators said Hoffman issued multiple checks from the victim's personal bank account without her knowledge, allegedly withdrawing more than $9,000. She's also accused of making over $12,000 in authorized credit card transactions in the victim's name, authorities said.
Detectives believe t…
PA Man Steals $50K+ From 'Elderly, Care-Dependent Relatives,' Police Say
A 21-year-old man has been charged after allegedly stealing over $50,000 from "his elderly, care-dependent relatives," police said in a release on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
Joshua Wood of Cleona was taken into custody by the Pennsylvania State Police on a warrant out of the Derry Township Police Department at approximately 11:57 a.m. on Nov. 7, as detailed in the release.
Wood is accused of using his "elderly relatives' bank accounts" to fraudulently take money for himself, the police explained.
"He utilized credit cards, forged checks, and unauthorized access to their bank…
Mahwah Financial Advisor Siphoned $1 Million From 98-Year-Old Widow's Account, State Says
A financial adviser from Mahwah pocketed nearly $700,000 and diverted another $300,000 or so of a 98-year-old widow’s money, said state authorities who stripped him of his ability to operate any longer in New Jersey.
John Joseph Cahill, 71, used the woman’s bank account to write and cash $693,990 worth of checks, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Friday.
Cahill also used the account to pay his daughter, his wife, and various others more than $300,000 to provide unexplained services to the woman, the attorney general said.
Cahill had been granted power of attorney for the victim,…
