Georgetown – A 42-year-old Greenwood man has been arrested and charged with financial exploitation of an infirm adult after investigators discovered he had fraudulently pocketed over $50,000 from his 84-year-old victim, Attorney General Beau Biden announced today.
“Financial exploitation isn’t just a monetary crime, it’s also a devastating abuse of a vulnerable person’s trust and dependence,” said Biden.
In a joint investigation with the Greenwood Police Department, investigators from the Attorney General’s office discovered that Michael K. Hall, formerly of Ellendale, had obtained over $50,000 since September 2011 from the 84-year-old woman in whose home he had been living since at least the beginning of the year. The financial exploitation came to light after the victim, who has suffered from both poor physical and mental health for several years, was hospitalized in December. Upon admission to Milford Memorial Hospital, the victim was declared to be a completely infirm adult, unable to care for herself or make cognizant decisions. Full guardianship of the victim and her property has since been appointed to the Office of the Public Guardianship by the Court of Chancery.
The ongoing investigation revealed that Hall had moved into the victim’s home in late 2010 or early 2011 and had initially performed several construction and maintenance projects on the property, which was in poor condition due to the victim’s deteriorating health. Hall was compensated for his work in the amount of $17,000. After he had been fully paid by the end of September, however, he continued to obtain several checks in large amounts from the victim, totaling over $50,000. This total
is likely to increase as investigators continue to examine financial records.
A warrant for Hall’s arrest on one charge of Exploiting Resources Greater than $50,000 of an Infirmed Adult was issued last week and Greenwood Police arrested him on February 9. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $25,000 secured bail.
Attorney General Biden also thanked the Greenwood Police Department for their strong action on behalf of the victim.
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