Woman financially exploited elderly relative with dementia, police say
BRIDGEPORT — A local woman stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a disabled relative in an elder financial exploitation scheme, according to police.
Leslie Vinson, 60, was charged with first-degree larceny, Capt. Kevin Gilleran of the Bridgeport Police Department said in a news release Monday night. Vinson’s bond amount and next court date were not disclosed.
Gilleran said Vinson was previously designated by a power of attorney to act on behalf of the relative, an elderly man who suffers from frontotemporal dementia and is severely cognitively impaired. Instead of paying the victim’s bills or otherwise making decisions with his best interests in mind, Gilleran said, she “knowingly and intentionally exploited the victim financially.” Vinson wrote and endorsed checks made out to her family members, a personal business and Vinson herself in the amount of more than $200,000, according to Gilleran. In the process, Gilleran said, she depleted the victim’s life savings: His bank account was left containing only around $500.
Following a forensic audit of the victim’s finances, the case was transferred to the Chief
State’s Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution, according to Gilleran.
Gilleran said a criminal investigation found that Vinson had not only stolen money, but also neglected to meet the victim’s basic needs and ensure his living conditions were sanitary.
Vinson turned herself in at Bridgeport police headquarters Friday and was served with an arrest warrant, according to Gilleran.