Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Anonymous Tip To State Social Services Agency Triggers Probe, Subsequent Arrest Of Central Florida Man For Allegedly Abusing POA To Take Title To Alzheimer's-Afflicted, Nursing Home-Bound Mom's Home, Living Off Her Money, Leaving Her Facing The Boot After Stiffing Care Facility Out Of $14K+

In Grand Island, Florida, Villages-News.com reports:
  • A 60-year-old man was arrested after an investigation revealed he was living off his mother’s money and had stiffed her nursing home.

    The man’s mother, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, was facing eviction from the Springs of Lady Lake Assisted Living Facility and owed more than $14,000,

    The investigation was launched after an anonymous tip to the Department of Children and Families in which the tipster said Brian Scott Schaffer was living on his mother’s money at her home in Grand Island, according to an arrest affidavit from the Lady Lake Police Department.

    Armed with his mother’s power of attorney, Schaffer had taken ownership of his mother’s home.

    In an interview with a DCF agent and a Lady Lake police detective, Schaffer admitted he was living on his mother’s Social Security check and her late husband’s pension. He said he couldn’t afford to pay her nursing home bills. Asked if he was planning to bring her home to care for her, he said he was not physically able to do so.

    He was arrested [] at his home in Groveland on a warrant charging him with felony exploitation of the elderly. He was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bond.
Source: Son accused of living off mother, stiffing her assisted living facility.

For story update, see Man won’t be prosecuted in case of looting of mother’s Social Security:
  • A 60-year-old man who admitted to living on his mother’s Social Security and stiffing her assisted living facility in Lady Lake, won’t be prosecuted in the case.

    Brian Scott Schaffer had faced a felony charge of exploitation of the elderly after an investigation had been launched as the result of an anonymous tip to the Department of Children and Families.
    ***
    However, the prosecutor’s office announced [] that the case is being dismissed. In a court filing, State Attorney Brad King stated, “Evidence legally insufficient to support prosecution.”