California has joined the disturbing trend of sweeping unsuspecting seniors clean of their estates. Elder estate abuse is an addendum to physical or mental abuse of our nation’s geriatric population, typically when a sizeable amount of money stands to be gained by unscrupulous characters.
According to the California State Bar’s website, elder abuse involves various crimes, such as theft, assault, and identity theft that strike victims of all ages. But when the victim is 65 years of age or older, or, a disabled dependent adult, the criminal faces stiffer penalties. Greed, bolstered by a lackluster economy, was certainly coursing through the veins of San Juan Capistrano’s Jeffrey Butler. In the 1990s, Butler started Senior Information Services, to purportedly offer seniors help with estate planning. Fast forward to 2009, where he faces 874 felony counts of fraud and is accused of bilking 125 seniors of more than $11 million.
Oftentimes, estate abuse isn’t limited to seniors; it also distinguishes itself from other crimes in that, over 50% of the time, its victims have familial or fiduciary ties to the perpetrators. Look no further to the raging battles with Anna Nicole Smith and Michael Jackson for proof. Lady Justice is disgusted with the blatant disregard for robbing people, both living and dead, of their hard-earned money. She will no doubt have all responsible parties feel the sting of her sword.
More information about elder abuse can be found on Calbar’s website at ELDER ABUSE.
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I hope she does more than sting. I hope she hones her sword to sharpness and then slices, cuts and whacks off all the stolen money and then some.
—Curses on Jeffrey Butler for this heinous crime - of course, AFTER he is found guilty in court.
elder abuse is also used by major corporations…desiring prime property owned by elders…using legal emminent domain claims to rob elders of their homes…or to use forced psychiatric evaluations to prove incompetence of their affairs…further robbing elders of their homes and their dignity…to
enhance the “bottom line” of greed….an interesting movie titled
“Noah Dearborn” starring Sidney Poitier, is a startling example of how this legalized robbery takes place…A Pox on these greedy fools!!!!!!!!!!!
Agree with Charlie, and it’s not just corporations, OUR OWN GOVERNMENTS do this, too. In Kelo vs. City of New London, the arrogant city government, in cahoots with a private developer, abused the process of eminent domain and TOOK AWAY the private home of Susette Kelo to build a shopping center.
—Most SHOCKINGLY, our own US SUPREME COURT upheld and approved this as legal and she lost her home.
—Is this concept of sacrificing private property to the city government too socialistic?
Elder abuse is a repugnant crime. I certainly hope that the Marshall family gets the justice they deserve soon…
Of the major categories of elder abuse, financial abuse is one of the hardest forms of abuse to recognize (National Center on Elder Abuse, 2004). Older adults are especially at risk for various types of credit card, banking and internet fraud (Reed, 2005), and are targeted by misleading advertising and telemarketing scams (AARP, 1996). In order to prevent this, it is critical that older adults can remember and monitor important information about financial matters, especially when large amounts of money are involved. This is one of the most difficult types of elder abuse to diagnose due to its lack of overt physical cues (Reed, 2005). In addition, older adults are often preferentially targeted by fraudulent and misleading advertising and telemarketing scams (AARP, 1996). I think California, and the rest of the world, need to become aware of this growing concern, even if it comes through case studies!
I agree with Alan too! Thanks Janice for shedding light on this important topic. In an ideal world, the banks would be helping elder adults monitor their accounts.