Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office is expanding its work with law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim advocates under a new Elder Justice Initiative that will increase the investigation and prosecution of elder abuse cases and improve victims’ access to services.
The Attorney General’s Crime Victim Services Section will spearhead the initiative and work with the office’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Consumer Protection, Health Care Fraud, and Special Prosecutions sections.
“Older adults are among our most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, crimes against them are often the most difficult to detect and prosecute, and many cases go unreported,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We will work with local communities to raise awareness and reporting of elder abuse and to bring greater justice, safety, and services to Ohio seniors.
“Our goal is to complement and bridge the gap between existing systems that serve older adults, including Adult Protective Services (APS) and local law enforcement,” he added. “We will work to identify areas of greatest need, connect with local officials to assess cases, and assist with investigations, prosecutions, and victim services.”
Defining the problem
Elder abuse can take many forms, including:
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Physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse
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Neglect, including abandonment and self-neglect
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Financial exploitation, including the exertion of undue influence
Elder abuse has a dramatic effect on victims, including putting them at a 300 percent higher risk of death, according to research reported in the
Journal of the American Medical Association. The U.S. Justice Department estimates one in nine people 60 and older suffers abuse and that for every known case, as many as five more go unreported.
Preble County Sheriff Michael Simpson’s office recently worked with the AG’s staff on an elder abuse case. An investigation by BCI and Simpson’s office revealed that James Thomas Jr., 38, of Brookville — while serving as the guardian of four individuals’ estates — withdrew more than $208,000 from the clients’ bank accounts for his own use between 2007 and 2013. In April, he pleaded no contest to a bill of information charging him with theft from an elderly person or adult with disabilities and falsification.
Simpson said the victims relied on Thomas, as their attorney, to keep tabs on their savings. “In reality, they had more money (than they were told), and the attorney was stealing it, plain and simple,” the sheriff said. “Many of these people live month to month, whether it be on Social Security or small investments. And now all of that is gone.”
Lending staff expertise
Ursel McElroy, deputy director of education and policy with Crime Victim Services, will oversee the Elder Justice Initiative. An Attorney General’s Office staff member for nine years and chair of its Elder Abuse Commission, she has worked with older adults for 20 years, including as chair of the Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services and as a case manager and supervisor for APS.
Upon receiving a report, she said, the Attorney General’s staff will talk with the victim and family members to see if there’s an immediate need the office can meet.
“Working through an abuse case can be very complicated and lengthy, so we want to make sure we provide services to that older person in the midst of what’s happening to them,” she said. “We’re also going to vet the case to see if it’s something we should handle or if it’s more appropriately addressed at the local level. And if that is the case, we’ll look at how we can best work with local authorities to move the case forward.”
The Attorney General’s Elder Justice Team will help local communities with:
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Criminal investigations
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Forensic analysis
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Case presentation and prosecution
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Victim advocacy and assistance
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Education and outreach
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Training
For information: Local officials seeking assistance from the Attorney General’s Office should call 800-282-0515. People wishing to report possible elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation are encouraged to contact local authorities or the Attorney General’s Office.
Training opportunities
Financial Crimes Against the Elderly: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Aug. 14, OPOTA Richfield. A BCI special agent and probate judge and her staff will cover the nature of financial crimes that target older adults, common suspects, investigations, and prevention. It is free.
Elder Abuse Training for Investigators: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 23–24, OPOTA London. Presented with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the training covers the dynamics of elder abuse and how to recognize and investigate cases. The training is free, and scholarships are available to help with travel costs.
The Ohio Attorney General’s 2014 Law Enforcement Conference: Oct. 28–29, Hyatt Regency Columbus. The theme is Protecting Ohio’s Seniors. The conference will include a special presentation and a track of workshops focusing on older adults.
Special training requests: To arrange training in your area related to the Elder Justice Initiative, call 800-282-0515.