EDLA Observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) 2023

NEW ORLEANS – During this year’s observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, along with the Department of Justice (DOJ), reaffirms their mission to combat elder abuse, by educating the public concerning the identification and reporting of elder abuse. Through public awareness and reporting, law enforcement officials are empowered to both investigate and bring to justice, the perpetrators of these heinous acts.

Elder Abuse may take many different forms.  Some forms include the illegal use of an older person’s money or property, through financial exploitation, or scams.  In other forms, it may appear as physical, psychological, or sexual abuse; or the  failure or refusal to provide assistance to a needy older person. 

Recently, the challenges of the COVID pandemic have created unprecedented opportunities for the victimization of our nation’s senior citizens by fraudsters and abusers.  During this time, the increased familial isolation experienced by seniors allowed unscrupulous predators to defraud the elderly through a myriad of schemes. 

As the world reflects on our seniors today, the Department of Justice remains committed to protecting this vulnerable population  through its Elder Justice Initiative, a program designed to prevent and prosecute elder fraud.

Some recent examples of Elder Fraud cases prosecuted by the USAO, EDLA are described below:

Former Bank Teller Sentenced for Federal Fraud Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that on February 1, 2023 United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced KAREN FARRELL TIGLER, age 40, of Marrero, Louisiana, to twenty-seven (27) months imprisonment followed by two (2) years of supervised release for violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344 (Bank Fraud), and Making and Subscribing False Tax Returns in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1).  According to documents filed in federal court, From February 9, 2015, to October 28, 2016, TIGLER used her position with the bank to embezzle approximately $349,556 from Client A’s account by using 100 counter checks to debit funds from Client A’s account.

Jamaican National Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for Mail and Wire Fraud

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ACDANE CAMPBELL, age 25, a resident of Jamaica, was sentenced on May 26, 2022 by U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan to serve 10 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to a one count indictment for Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud. 

According to court documents, from in or around August 2016, CAMPBELL and others, conspired to obtain money unlawfully by falsely informing elderly victims that they had won a lottery, sweepstakes, or car.  The unidentified co-conspirators telephoned the victims, promising them that they would receive their winnings if they first paid taxes and fees.  After being instructed by the unidentified co-conspirators that they needed to send payments to CAMPBELL, the victims would send their payments electronically through either a money services business, FedEx or the United States Postal Service.  Working as a “money mule,” CAMPBELL either kept the money that he received from the victims or sent it to unknown persons in Jamaica.

EDLA’S MISSION TO ADDRESS ELDER FRAUD ON

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

“Elder fraud causes devastating losses to its victims.  With the cooperation of our investigative partners, we will continue to hold  the perpetrators of elder fraud schemes accountable.  Today, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), our office reminds seniors and their caregivers to be constantly vigilant to detect and report fraudulent schemes that target the elderly, and other vulnerable consumers.  If seniors believe themselves to be victims of elder fraud or abuse, they should contact law enforcement immediately,” said U.S. Attorney Evans.

Our office has an Assistant U.S. Attorney who is specifically designated to both prosecute elder abuse cases and to train the public on the prevention, recognition, and reporting of elder fraud.  If your organization is interested in receiving elder abuse prevention training from our Elder Justice Coordinator, please contact Shane M. Jones, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 504-680-3000 or by email at shane.jones@usdoj.gov. 

Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 1-877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office of Victims of Crime at www.ovc.gov. Additional elder justice resources, training, and outreach materials can be found at the Elder Justice Website at www.elderjustice.gov. 

If you need assistance or to report elder abuse, please contact your local adult protective services agency through the Eldercare Locator or by call the helpline at 1-800-677-1116 Monday – Friday 9am - 8pm EST. To report elder fraud, please visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center or contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11 or 833–372–8311 Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm EST.

For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim services, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice