Task Force Combats Crimes Against Elderly (USA)

BY PETER E. BORTNER (STAFF WRITER – Republican Herald)
September 6, 2010

Abusing a senior citizen, whether physically or financially, in Schuylkill County will land you in court, if District Attorney James P. Goodman has anything to say about it.

"We're getting the message out," he said about his Schuylkill County Elder Abuse Task Force, which is dedicated to fighting crimes committed against those who often have problems defending themselves.

Goodman formed the task force soon after being elected in 2005. Assistant District Attorney Thomas J. Campion Jr., who also is a certified public accountant, and county Detective Dorothy "Dolly" Malec spearhead the task force's efforts against those who prey upon senior citizens.

"Typically, it's a case that there's been someone who the elderly person trusts," Campion said of the situations that come before the task force. "Instead of looking out for the old person, they look out for themselves and take money that's not theirs, for their own benefit."

One recent case successfully handled by the task force is that of Michelle A. Connors, 39, of Girardville, who pleaded guilty on Aug. 26 to two counts each of theft and receiving stolen property. Connors is awaiting sentencing by Judge Jacqueline L. Russell.

Shenandoah police have charged Connors with taking $163,358 from Mary O'Connell, Shenandoah, from November 2006 through September 2008.

Involvement by Shenandoah police was important, according to Malec.

"We work on cooperating with the police departments," because their participation helps, she said.

Malec believes senior citizens can help stop such financial abuse by following several tips.

"If you're going to get a power of attorney, make sure you know the person well and trust them," she said. "I would recommend that two people have the power of attorney. Have one watching over the other."

A power of attorney is a document authorizing one person to act as the agent of another. It can authorize a person to sign deeds, control finances and take other actions on behalf of another person.

Malec also said openness on the part of the holder of a power of attorney is vital.

"I would make sure the elder person ... insists on seeing their bank records," she said. "If they won't show you the bank records, then I'd be very suspicious."

Malec said other possible signs of financial exploitation include items suddenly being missing from the home, a person not living in the style to which they're accustomed, family members being barred from visiting and the person taking care of the senior citizen buying things for themselves that they did not have before.

Denying family members access is a significant sign, according to Malec.

"That's a red flag," she said.

Campion said he makes sure he deals with the victim personally.

"I like to sit down, talk with them and start at square one," he said. That includes learning how the person holding the power of attorney met the victim, how they got the power and what subsequently occurred, according to Campion.

Goodman said the task force also works with the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance to spread the word about possible financial dangers senior citizens face and urge victims to report what occurred.

"They're doing a lot of education," he said.

Alliance Chairman Eric M. Mika said financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse in both Pennsylvania and Schuylkill County.

"If we want to prosecute and deter elder abuse, we had to train local law enforcement," he said. "The challenge of prosecution is that it's heavily intensive into forensic accounting."

Often, it costs many thousands of dollars to hire a forensic accountant to review financial records and determine exactly what occurred, Mika said.

Mika praised Malec's participation on both the task force and the alliance, which he said has about 30 members.

"Dolly has been an absolute stalwart," he said.

Signs of possible financial exploitation of an elderly person include:

The holder of a power of attorney refuses to let the senior citizen see bank records.

Items missing from the senior citizen's residence.

The senior citizen is not living in the style to which they have been accustomed.

The holder of a power of attorney or caretaker bars visits by family members.

The holder of a power of attorney or caretaker is buying things for themselves that they did not have before.

SOURCE:    The Republican Herald
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