Cumru Township couple charged with financial abuse of 81-year-old Berks County woman
A Cumru Township husband and wife have been charged with the financial exploitation of an 81-yearold woman.
Robert Alan Adler, 65, and his wife, Mary Ann Stafford, 72, of the 300 block of Crest Circle, were charged with theft by deception, unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and securing execution of documents by deception after a review of the victim’s financial records showed web transfers and other financial transactions totaling about $55,000 were made by the two without the victim’s consent.
The transactions were made from May 2017 through January 2019.
According to a news release from county district attorney’s office:
Berks County Area Agency on Aging referred the case to the Berks County Detective’s Office in December 2018.
A criminal investigation found the victim and Adler and Stafford signed a Power of Attorney in March 2017, entrusting the defendants to act on the victim’s behalf and in the victim’s best interest.
The following month, the victim was placed in a longterm personal care facility in the county and the transfer began soon after.
A review of the victim’s bank account showed 73 web transfers, totaling $46, 573.84, from the victim’s account to the defendants’ joint bank account, all made without the knowledge or consent of the victim.
Berks County Detectives also found a check belonging to the victim had been executed by the defendants to pay a plumbing bill of $8,393 for work at their home.
The financial transactions ended when Adler and Stafford were notified of a referral to the Agency on Aging.
The victim had been diagnosed with severe cognitive deficits that made her unable to give informed consent regarding placement decisions, financial, medical, personal and other matters.
Adler and Stafford surrendered to county detectives Wednesday.
Preliminary Arraignment was held before District Justice Michael G. Hartman and bail set at $25,000.00.
Both defendants were released pending further court action.