Floyd Jay Mann, Elder Financial Exploitation, AK 2023

ANCHORAGE, AK – A Dillingham man is facing a decade behind bars after systematically draining the life savings of vulnerable Alaskans, including a cancer patient who died waiting for a promised payout. Floyd Jay Mann, was sentenced in December to 10 years in prison for a brazen elder fraud scheme that netted him nearly $3 million.

The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward, reveals a callous disregard for the elderly and infirm. Mann’s first victim, a man battling cancer, was lured with the false promise of a multi-million dollar settlement from a pharmaceutical company. Mann convinced the dying man he needed immediate financial assistance to cover “court costs” and “medical bills” before the settlement could be released, falsely claiming a share of the future windfall. The victim, desperate and trusting, handed over his entire life savings and monthly Social Security checks, only to succumb to cancer while awaiting a payout that never materialized.

But Mann didn’t stop there. He extended his predatory scheme to the victim’s friends and family in Dillingham, perpetuating the same lies and extracting funds from them as well. The total haul: almost $3 million, leaving numerous victims financially ruined – some losing their homes and retirement savings. This isn’t just theft; it’s a calculated assault on the most vulnerable members of our society.

The prosecution of Mann is part of a nationwide “Elder Fraud Initiative” launched by the Department of Justice, with AUSA Steward appointed as the Elder Fraud Coordinator for the District of Alaska. Steward has been working with the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspectors, the State of Alaska Office of Elder Fraud and Assistance, and Senior Corps to identify and prosecute these crimes, and to reach vulnerable populations with preventative information. Attorney General Jeff Sessions yesterday declared combatting elder fraud a top priority for the DOJ, alongside Acting Deputy Director of the FBI, David Bowdich, Chief Postal Inspector Guy Cottrell, FTC Acting Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen, and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

“The Justice Department and its partners are taking unprecedented, coordinated action to protect elderly Americans from financial threats, both foreign and domestic,” Sessions stated. “When criminals steal the hard-earned life savings of older Americans, we will respond with all the tools at the Department’s disposal.” The DOJ is specifically targeting schemes like “lottery phone scams,” “grandparent scams,” “romance scams,” “IRS imposter schemes,” “guardianship schemes,” and “advance fee schemes” – all designed to prey on the trust and desperation of the elderly.

These cases, officials say, aren’t simply about money; they’re about lives shattered and trust betrayed. The psychological and emotional toll on victims and their families is immense. The Department of Justice is vowing to aggressively pursue these predators, not only with criminal prosecutions but also with civil injunctions and asset forfeiture to recover stolen funds. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the Department of Justice and local law enforcement agencies. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and expose those who prey on the vulnerable.