Financial Elder Abuse: Couple Pleads Guilty (CA. USA)

COUPLE PLEADS GUILTY IN CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD ELDERLY VICTIM

Crime Blotter

January 04, 2009

 Little Rock - U.S. Attorney Jane W. Duke announced that Deborah J. Ball, age 54, and Elmer Andy Masoner, age 57, entered separate guilty pleas today to the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Both guilty pleas were accepted by United States District Judge Brian Miller. As a result of their pleas, Ball and Masoner each face a statutory penalty of up to five years in prison and a potential fine of up to $250,000. In addition, both defendants will be ordered to make restitution to the victim of their offense.

 

While the restitution amount will not be definitely established until the defendants are sentenced, the United States Attorney´s Office anticipates seeking a restitution order in excess of $400,000. The remaining co-defendant, Julie Belisle, age 35, is currently scheduled for trial June 1, 2009.

 Ball, Masoner, and Belisle were indicted November 5, 2008, in an indictment alleging that the defendants devised a scheme to defraud an elderly individual named Elizabeth Becker. The defendants carried out their scheme by establishing a relationship of trust with Ms. Becker in which she was completely dependent upon the defendants for her needs to be met and for her well-being; by taking advantage of Ms. Becker´s weak physical and mental condition; by taking control of her financial assets; and then by using wire transmissions to divert Ms. Becker´s assets for their own personal use. 

Abridged

SOURCE:     American Chronicle Ca. USA

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