TUCSON, Ariz. – A shocking case of elder abuse has come to light in Arizona, as two home caregivers have been charged with defrauding a 91-year-old victim out of a staggering $184,000.
Margaret Arlene Gastelum, 59, of San Manuel, Ariz. and Mona Lisa Rodriguez, 36, of Tucson, Ariz. were indicted on October 31, 2018, on 72 counts of conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
The indictment alleges that Gastelum and Rodriguez provided home care assistance to the 91-year-old victim between 2015 and 2017. During this time, the defendants gained access to the victim’s banking information and fraudulently transferred and used funds from the victim’s bank accounts.
The defendants also allegedly used the victim’s credit cards without their knowledge or consent and overcharged them for services rendered. As a result of their scheme, the victim suffered a significant financial loss.
A conviction for conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. A conviction for wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for aggravated identity theft carries a minimum mandatory sentence of two years in prison that must be served consecutively to the ultimate sentence imposed.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Tucson Police Department. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wallace Kleindienst for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson.
An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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