• 12
  • August
    2011

A 97 year-old woman was reportedly taken advantage of recently in one of the most despicable ways possible. Almost $600,000 was stolen from her by a 69 year-old man via a power of attorney she granted him in order to protect herself if she were to be unable to make financial decisions on her own. The man has been arrested for exploitation of the elderly.

The man and woman were roommates in an upscale gated community for senior citizens. The man had moved into her condo eight years ago, and he eventually became the woman's caretaker. After some time, she granted him power of attorney because she felt she was becoming less and less independent due to the advancement of Alzheimer's disease. She obviously trusted him to protect her and act in her best interest, but it appears her trust was seriously misplaced.

Issues started to arise, according to a neighbor, when the woman had to move into a nursing home temporarily, leaving the man in their home alone. It appears that he may suffer from bi-polar disorder, but he had been taking his medicine consistently while the woman lived with him. After she moved out, he apparently stopped taking his regularly, and the neighbor attributes his behavior to lack of adequate treatment for his bi-polar disorder.

Law enforcement officials disagree with that assessment. They contend that the man had been transferring money from the woman's bank account for months before she was admitted to the nursing home. In fact, police say, the man had already spent over $150,000 he misappropriated from his roommate on a 2007 Lamborghini.

It does appear that the man is ill. According to reports, he suffers from delusions and has told people he was a surgeon, a CIA agent and a member of the mob.

Lutheran Services has now been appointed as emergency guardian for the woman, and they are working with attorneys to recover the funds stolen by woman's former roommate and friend.

Source: WTSP, "Deputies: $600,000 swiped from Sarasota woman to buy Lamborghini," Tammie Fields, Aug. 11, 2011