Alan J. Fassett, Elderly Woman Defrauding, Pennsylvania 2023

The Grimy Times has obtained information that Alan J. Fassett, a 66-year-old man from Athens, Pennsylvania, has been charged with defrauding a 92-year-old woman of approximately $400,000. The alleged scheme occurred between April 2011 and December 2013, during which time the victim was a resident in a nursing home in Athens.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Fassett used the purported authority of a Power of Attorney to steal more than $400,000 from the victim. This included unlawfully transferring securities and other assets of the victim into Fassett’s personal bank accounts and using them for his personal benefit.

The indictment charges Fassett with 19 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. The investigation into this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Athens Police Department.

Prosecution is assigned to United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski. As a matter of high priority, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes crimes against the elderly.

Fassett is presumed innocent until found guilty in court. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count of wire fraud, 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count of money laundering, and 2 years imprisonment consecutive to the predicate crime, and a $250,000 fine for aggravated identity theft.

The Federal Sentencing Guidelines will also be taken into consideration, including the nature, circumstances, and seriousness of the offense, the history and characteristics of the defendant, and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public, and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational, and medical needs.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable members of our society from financial exploitation. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/bradford-county-man-charged-federally-defrauding-92-year-old-400000