COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two Aiken, South Carolina men are headed to federal prison after a brazen scheme to defraud an 88-year-old woman out of a $20 million estate. Cody Lee Anderson, 38, and Thomas Allen Bateman, 51, both of Aiken, received two-year sentences after being convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
The scheme unfolded during the height of the pandemic, investigators revealed. A newly executed will inexplicably named Thomas Allen Bateman, Jr. as the sole beneficiary of the victim’s entire $20 million fortune. Cody Lee Anderson was designated as the personal representative, positioning him to collect a hefty 5% fee – a cool $1 million – from the stolen estate. The evidence painted a grim picture: the 88-year-old victim lacked the mental capacity to understand, let alone consent to, the disposition of her life savings.
Federal investigators from the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) quickly zeroed in on the suspicious activity. The investigation uncovered a deliberate manipulation of the elderly woman, exploiting her vulnerability for personal financial gain. The evidence clearly indicated the will wasn’t a legitimate expression of her wishes, but a calculated act of greed.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr. handed down the 24-month prison sentences to both men. Anderson and Bateman will each serve their time in federal prison, followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Forget any notions of early release – there is no parole in the federal system. These men will serve every day of their sentences.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Matthews and Winston Holliday skillfully prosecuted the case, presenting a compelling argument that highlighted the vulnerability of the victim and the calculated nature of the fraud. The prosecution successfully demonstrated the defendants’ intent to exploit an elderly woman for their own enrichment. This case serves as a stark warning: preying on the vulnerable will not be tolerated.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. This conviction underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting our elderly population from predatory schemes. Anyone suspecting elder fraud is urged to contact the FBI or their local law enforcement agency immediately. The cost of inaction is simply too high.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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