Tag:

Financial exploitation

PA Man Admits To Assaulting 3 Kids Amid $124K Elder Theft Case: Prosecutors PA Man Admits To Assaulting 3 Kids Amid $124K Elder Theft Case: Prosecutors
PA Man Admits To Assaulting 3 Kids Amid $124K Elder Theft Case: Prosecutors A Pennsylvania man accused of sexually assaulting multiple children — and stealing more than $124,000 from an elderly victim to fund personal purchases — has pleaded no contest as his theft case continues in court, prosecutors said. Christopher Todd Zweifel, 59, of East Earl Township, pleaded no contest before Judge Thomas Sponaugle on April 9 to sexually assaulting three juveniles, the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday, May 1. The plea came just days before his trial was scheduled to begin. Zweifel pleaded to multiple offenses including aggravated indecent assau…
Car Finance Worker Wanted For $85K Drained From Elderly PA Parents’ Accounts: Police Car Finance Worker Wanted For $85K Drained From Elderly PA Parents’ Accounts: Police
Car Finance Worker Wanted For $85K Drained From Elderly PA Parents’ Accounts: Police A used car finance worker is wanted after police say he drained more than $85,000 from his elderly parents’ bank account while handling their finances, authorities announced on Thursday, Jan. 22. Howard Stanley Smith, 67, is charged with one count of Felony Financial Exploitation of an Older Adult or Care-Dependent Person and Felony Access Device Fraud, according to the Ephrata Police Department. The investigation began after a concerned family member contacted police in December 2024 and reported Smith was allegedly taking money from his parents, police said. Investigators found the victi…
PA Attorney Accused Of $311K Theft From Client Kills Himself During Standoff: DA PA Attorney Accused Of $311K Theft From Client Kills Himself During Standoff: DA
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 $3.7M Stolen From PA Elderly Woman’s Estate, Blown On Luxury Travel, Plastic Surgery: DA
$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…
Mom Trapped Behind Dog Gate, Soiled, Starving While Daughter, Son-In-Law Vacation: PA AG Mom Trapped Behind Dog Gate, Soiled, Starving While Daughter, Son-In-Law Vacation: PA AG
Mom Trapped Behind Dog Gate, Soiled, Starving While Daughter, Son-In-Law 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 Estate Executor Steals $27K+ From Elder, Ephrata Police Say
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. …
Caretaker Who Faked Cancer Admits To Stealing From Seniors: Bucks County DA Caretaker Who Faked Cancer Admits To Stealing From Seniors: Bucks County DA
Caretaker Who Faked Cancer Admits To Stealing From Seniors: Bucks County DA A Bensalem caretaker who stole from two elderly clients and faked having cancer to delay her court proceedings could spend nearly two years in prison, according to officials.  Shannon Lynn Eberhart, 48, pleaded guilty to financial exploitation and theft charges in March, said the Bucks County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday, July 10.  In her role as caretaker for two seniors, Eberhart stole cash and heirloom jewelry and made unauthorized withdrawals from one of the victim’s bank accounts, prosecutors wrote.  “Shannon’s actions here are unforgivable,” one of the …
Carlisle Dad Accused Of Raping, Financially Exploiting Special Needs Person Carlisle Dad Accused Of Raping, Financially Exploiting Special Needs Person
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 Woman Stole Thousands From 89-Year-Old's Bank Account, Berks DA Says
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 …