CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Pinellas County man is behind bars, accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from two elderly and/or disabled adults he's close to.
According to an affidavit obtained by 10 Tampa Bay, 26-year-old Scott Newmark is charged with two counts of felony exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult.
Newmark is accused of taking nearly $70,000 from two elderly or disabled adults he was close to. The documents redact the names of the victims and their relationships.
Investigators say the victims allowed Newmark access to one of their bank accounts to act as an advisor, but he then used that position of trust to access other accounts.
“The defendant limited access to these other funds by the victims and completed several transactions including writing checks to himself, writing checks to his sister and purchasing a house for his personal use,” the affidavit reads.
Investigators say without access to the money for several years, the victims were evicted from two separate assisted living facilities, forcing them to move back in with Newmark in the home their money was allegedly used to pay for.
“The defendant exhausted all of the victims’ money through lies, fraud and deceit for approximately $69,300 in down payments for the house,” the officers’ statement continues.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office declined 10 Tampa Bay’s request for an interview. According to court records, Newmark is currently in the Pinellas County Jail being held on a $250,000 bond.
Records also show Newmark is facing a number of other charges in separate cases, including cruelty to animals, battery on a law enforcement officer and dealing in stolen property.
He was arrested in November after multiple skeletal animal remains were found in his Seminole home, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Elderly exploitation, which Newmark is charged with in this case, is a nationwide problem magnified in Florida.
“We're talking about essentially fraud and theft,” says Attorney Charles Gallagher, talking to 10 Tampa Bay on background.
“Our population is very much rich with folks that are older and elderly. And as a result, we do have more claims here probably than most other areas,” Gallagher added.
According to the FBI, just last year in Florida there were 8,100 fraud victim reports regarding people at least 60 years old, including things like extortion and scams, with losses totaling more than $290 million.
Attorneys like Gallagher say it’s important for seniors and their families to be aware of these kinds of issues.
"Communicating with the family member and getting a good idea of their capacity, if you see them declining, you want to go ahead and intercede sooner than later, you don't want to have something that already happened and lose assets and property and be worse off,” Gallagher explained.
“Just yesterday I talked with a prospective client. They had concerns that their family member was befriending someone locally and going to the bank,” Gallagher added.
Gallagher also says it’s a good reminder to consider getting a living will or trust in order.
"Planning is key and helpful in halting all of these problems before they happen,” Gallagher said. “Being proactive is key.”
If you believe a senior is at risk of abuse or exploitation, the state Department of Children and Families hotline can be reached at 1-800-962-2873.