Woman gets probation in financial exploitation case

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Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 10:15 am | Updated: 2:57 pm, Tue Mar 31, 2015.

Woman gets probation in financial exploitation case Kay Fate, kfate@postbulletin.com Post-Bulletin Company, LLC

A former area resident accused of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult has been sentenced to five years probation, 50 hours of community work service, and cannot work in a job that includes fiduciary responsibilities. Ashley Loraine Marschel, formerly known as Ashley Dotzenrod, pleaded guilty in December to one felony count; in exchange for the plea, an identical exploitation charge and a single felony count of theft by swindle were dismissed.

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Marschel, 29, of Apple Valley, entered an Alford plea in Olmsted County District Court. The plea means Marschel maintains her innocence, but acknowledges that the evidence would be sufficient to convict her.

The investigation began Sept. 27, 2013, when police were told by a Rochester financial institution that Marschel had deposited about $50,000 in checks written on the alleged victim's account into her own checking account. The victim was described in the criminal complaint as having "significant difficulty in speech and motor movements," as well as having seizures, all the result of a stroke several years ago.

The man required the assistance of others for basic needs, and had a power of attorney document to assist in financial matters, the report says, classifying him as a functional vulnerable adult.

In January 2011, the man named Marschel as his power of attorney; in May 2011, Marschel opened a joint savings account with the man.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim's former power of attorney said the victim was "frugal" and was "aware of Marschel's spending habits." The man set up the financial arrangement so if Marschel was going to be paid, he would have to write her the check. Since 2009, only one check has been written to Marschel, the records show.

When investigators spoke to the man in October 2013, he said Marschel had stolen his money.

Records obtained by law enforcement indicate Marschel made 143 transactions involving the victim's bank account from January 2011 to October 2013, for a total of more than $92,000.

Prior to January 2012, a credit card in the man's name was paid in full every month, the complaint says. From January 2012 to October 2013, records showed Marschel used the card 14 times, with purchases totaling about $11,800.

The man told investigators he hadn't given Marschel consent to use the card.

The combined check and credit card activity totals $103,864.

Man arrested for exploiting vulnerable adult; how to prevent elder abuse

Man arrested for exploiting vulnerable adult; how to prevent elder abuse

Written by Mori Kessler on January 6, 2015 in Education, Health and Wellness, Life, News - 13 Comments

29

 

ST. GEORGE – A 21-year-old Washington City man was arrested Monday for alleged fraud connected to a stolen credit card and exploiting a vulnerable adult.
St. George Police received a report from an independent senior living center Dec. 29, 2014, about a potential theft. A resident at the facility reported that his wallet had been taken and later returned, according to a probable cause statement written by St. George Police Officer K. Chamberlain.

 

Roberto M. Serrano, Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility, Utah, Jan. 5, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the St. George Police Department, St. George News

An investigation discovered a credit card from the wallet had been used at multiple locations between the evening of Dec. 28 and early morning hours of Dec. 29. The card was used to withdraw up to $1,000 from an ATM at the Mountain America Credit Union on 3050 East and also for a purchase at an area business.
Surveillance footage from the Mountain America ATM and the living center was reviewed by the police. An employee of the living center also watched the footage and identified the individual alleged to be Roberto Maximillian Serrano, 21, of Washington City, also an employee at the center.
Chamberlain interviewed Serrano who denied allegations he had taken the wallet and used the credit card.

Serrano was later arrested and subsequently charged with two third-degree felonies for exploiting a vulnerable adult and unlawful acquisition of a finance card. He was also charged with various misdemeanors related to use of the theft and use of the finance card. According to Washington County Bookings information, bail was set at $14,779.
Serrano made bail and has been released from jail. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance in court Jan. 12.

these types of crimes are not common

Though the St. George area has its share of senior living centers, St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said, these types of crimes are not common. What’s unfortunate about the situation is that someone in a position of trust allegedly abused that trust and committed a crime, he said.
Last year a St. George woman working at another senior care center was arrested in a similar incident after allegedly taking credit cards belonging to an 88-year-old facility resident.
Financial exploitation
Research shows that as many as 5 million older adults are victims of financial exploitation each year, costing seniors an estimated $3 billion annually. Utah seniors are exploited out of at least $7.7 million each year, with the average victim losing just over $85,000.
But these types of crimes can and should be prevented.

address the issue and get informed about the warning signs and resources available

As financial exploitation targeting older adults continues to become more prevalent in the United States, Utah Adult Protective Services has joined a nationwide campaign to encourage older adults and their families to address the issue and get informed about the warning signs and resources available to help prevent abuse.
There are several signs of financial exploitation to look out for, including financial activity that is inconsistent with an older adult’s history, confusion about recent financial arrangements, a caregiver or beneficiary who refuses to use designated funds for necessary care and treatment of an older adult and an older adult who feels threatened by a caregiver who is seeking to control their finances.
The Utah Department of Human Services recommends that if you hire someone to help you in your home, ensure that they have been properly screened with criminal background checks completed. Ask for certifications when appropriate.
“Financial exploitation can be prevented if people know the right questions to ask and where to turn for help,” Mary Twomey, co-director of the National Center on Elder Abuse, said. “Although it is a sensitive issue and one that can be difficult to broach, it is critical for families to address, and there are many useful resources available to guide them through the process.”
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
St. George reporter Kimberly Scott contributed to this story.
Resources

• To learn about preventing elder abuse, neglect or exploitation or obtain a free copy of Legal Guide 55 | Telephone: 877-424-4640
• A digital copy of the financial exploitation brochure is available online
• Toll-free statewide phone number for reporting elder abuse, neglect or exploitation | Telephone: 800-371-7897
• Five County Association of Governments Aging Services Division | Telephone: 435-673-3548

Related posts

• Caregiver arrested for financial exploitation of vulnerable adult
• Police arrest 38-year-old for exploiting 96-year-old man
• Utah takes active role in preventing elder abuse, neglect, exploitation

Email: mkessler@stgnews.com
Twitter: @MoriKessler

Business owner charged with financial exploitation

Business owner charged with financial exploitation

      

Posted: Wednesday, December 17, 2014 6:00 am

Business owner charged with financial exploitation HDT Staff Report Hibbing Daily Tribune

GRAND RAPIDS — A Nashwauk man is being accused of swindling more than $1 million from his late uncle who suffered from dementia. Patrick V. Pecchia, 55, made his first appearance Monday in Itasca County District Court in Grand Rapids on one felony count of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

 

       

He obtained power of attorney for his ailing uncle, Joseph L. Pecchia, in 2007 after Joseph began suffering from dementia.

Patrick Pecchia used the money to gamble, buy a new car and pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit card bills from 2007 until Joseph, a longtime Nashwauk resident, passed away in 2011 at age 79, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint includes copies of canceled checks, purchases and payments made by Pecchia through his uncle’s accounts, including:

• $10,700 to purchase a new snowplow that Pecchia used to clear snow at his businesses.

• $29,295 to purchase a new Chrysler 300 car.

• $48,000 in transfers from the uncle’s account to his bank account.

• $40,844 in VISA bill payments.

• $107,062 to himself in cashier’s checks.

• $119,501 in checks for “questionable gambling.”

• $146,207 to Discover Credit Card.

• $203,701 in counter checks.

• $258,993 to Capital One Credit.

• $50,000 to an account in the name of Pecchia Boys, Inc.

The complaint also details that upon his uncle’s death, Pecchia wrote checks from his uncle’s account to accounts Pecchia had set up under the names of his sons. Investigators said Pecchia’s sons seemed “shocked” and apparently knew nothing about the uncle’s checks, according to the complaint.

Several other checks from his uncle’s account were cashed with many of them noted as gambling money. Pecchia said that he would take his uncle gambling, and that he would cover the cost of his own expenses during the trips.

Medical records clearly show that the uncle would not have benefited from traveling to a gambling location to the extent of the withdrawals that were made or that he would have been physically capable of traveling, according to the criminal complaint.

Pecchia is the owner of Pecchia Boys, Inc, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State website. He is also listed as the owner of the Nashwauk Bottle Shop, Pecchia Clean Car Wash and Nashwauk Little Store.

Judge Jon Maturi Monday released Pecchia on conditions that he stay in contact with his attorney, report for booking at the Itasca County Jail and remain law abiding. His next appearance is scheduled for Jan. 26.

Phone messages left Tuesday for both Pecchia and his attorney, John Undem, were not returned.

The crime is a felony that could bring a fine of up to $100,000 and up to 20 years in prison.

Woman pleads guilty to financial exploitation

Woman pleads guilty to financial exploitation

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Posted: Friday, December 12, 2014 3:17 pm

Woman pleads guilty to financial exploitation Kay Fate, kfate@postbulletin.com Post-Bulletin Company, LLC

A former area resident accused of spending more than $100,000 of someone else's money has pleaded guilty to felony financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. In exchange, the court dismissed an identical exploitation charge and a single felony count of theft by swindle against Ashley Loraine Marschel, formerly known as Ashley Dotzenrod.

 

 

Marschel, 28, of Apple Valley, entered an Alford plea of guilty Friday in Olmsted County District Court. The plea means Marschel maintains her innocence, but acknowledges that the evidence would be sufficient to convict her.

Sentencing was set for Feb. 12.

The investigation began Sept. 27, when police were told by a Rochester financial institution that Marschel had deposited about $50,000 in checks written on the alleged victim's account into her own checking account. The victim is described in the criminal complaint as having "significant difficulty in speech and motor movements," as well as having seizures, all the result of a stroke several years ago.

The man requires the assistance of others for basic needs, and has a power of attorney to assist in financial matters, the report says, classifying him as a functional vulnerable adult.

In January 2011, the man named Marschel as his power of attorney; in May 2011, Marschel opened a joint savings account with the man.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim's former power of attorney said the victim was "frugal" and was "aware of Marschel's spending habits." The man set up the financial arrangement so if Marschel was going to be paid, he would have to write her the check. Since 2009, only one check has been written to Marschel, the records show.

When investigators spoke to the man in October 2013, he said Marschel "screwed me and stole my money."

Records obtained by law enforcement indicate Marschel made 143 transactions involving the victim's bank account from January 2011 to October 2013, for a total of more than $92,000.

Prior to January 2012, a credit card in the man's name was paid in full every month, the complaint says. From January 2012 to October 2013, records showed Marschel used the card 14 times, with purchases totaling about $11,800.

The man told investigators he hadn't given Marschel consent to use the card.

The combined check and credit card activity totals $103,864.

Maplewood Woman Allegedly Takes $47K From Vulnerable Mother

November 28, 2014 3:34 PM

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Alleged Theft, Anoka County, Dementia, Financial Exploitation Of A Vulnerable Adult, Maplewood

 

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Maplewood woman is facing charges of exploitation after she allegedly took $47,000 from her mentally ill mother.
Annette Lynn Biel, 50, faces one count of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
According to the criminal complaint, Biel’s mother had been diagnosed with dementia in 2011 and required 24 hour care from her daughters.
After receiving two reports of alleged financial exploitation from the center where Biel’s mother was living, adult protection began looking into Biel’s mother’s care.
On Oct. 30, 2013 Biel told adult protection that she had taken care of her mother for 22 years and she had not taken any money until recently.
Biel met with adult protection again on Nov. 1, 2013.
According to the criminal complaint, during the meeting Biel admitted to taking $47,000 from her mother’s account.
Biel said she was “repaying herself for years of uncompensated care.”
Officials said she told investigators her sister took more money than she did.
The incident is currently under investigation.