WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY 2012

June 11, Slidell, LA June 13, Acadiana

Donald Akers, Jr.Assistant District Attorney

16th Judicial District of Louisiana

STATE & FEDERAL LAW RE:

FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF THE ELDERLY

MANDATORY REPORTING BY

BANKS & FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

PROTECTING THE ELDERLY FROM FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

THE ROLE OF BANKS & FINANCIAL SERVICES

Play a key role due to the nature of their customer relationship.

Because of personal familiarity with customers, they are quick to suspect elder financial and alert authorities

Reporting financial exploitation has had increased attention at the state level, a focus consistent with an upward trend at the federal level…

SOURCE: US Dept. of Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Advisory FIN-2011-A003/ Issued: February 22, 2011

MANDATORY REPORTING !• Reports ...shall be made to  any  adult  protection  agency  or  to  any 

local or state law enforcement agency...

• All reports shall contain the name and address of the adult, the name and  address  of  the  person  responsible  for  the  care  of  the  adult,  if available, and any other pertinent information.

• The adult protection agency shall have access to any financial records necessary...without unnecessary delay...and is exempt from the payment of fee otherwise required or authorized by law to obtain a record...

• If  the  adult  protection  agency  is  unable  to  obtain  access  to  a record ...the court shall order access...

WHAT ARE WE REPORTING?

LOUISIANA LAW: MANDATORY REPORTS REQUIRED FOR ALL

La. R.S. 15:1504 MANDATORY REPORTS AND IMMUNITY

• ANY PERSON...having cause to believe that an adult's physical or mental health  or  welfare  has  been  or  may  be  further adversely  affected  by  abuse,  neglect,  or  exploitation  SHALL REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH R.S. 15:1505.

• ...any person who in good faith makes a report, cooperates in an investigation by an adult protective agency, or participates in judicial proceedings authorized under the provisions of  this Chapter...shall have immunity from civil or criminal liability…

WHAT IS EXPLOITATION OF THE ELDERLY?

LA R.S. 15:1503: (EPS/APS Statute Definitions)

(7) "Exploitation" means the illegal or improper use or management of an aged person's or disabled adult's funds, assets, or property, … power of attorney or guardianship for one's own profit or advantage.

 LA R.S. 14:93.4. Exploitation of the infirmed (Criminal Law)

(1)    The  intentional  expenditure,  diminution,  or  use…of  the  property  or assets of the infirmed, a disabled adult, or an aged person…without the express voluntary consent…by means of fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations.

(2)    The  use  of  an  infirmed…aged  person's,  or  disabled  adult's  power  of attorney or guardianship for one's own profit or advantage by means of fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations.

PENALTIES FOR EXPLOITATION OF THE INFIRMED

LA R.S. 14:93.4 A FELONY shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than 10 years, or both

shall  be  prohibited from access  to  any  disabled  or  aged person's assets or property…

Shall  be prohibited from having a power of attorney or being guardian for any disabled or aged person…

shall  not  prohibit  the  offender  from  inheriting  from  the victim

LA R.S. 14:67.21 THEFT OF THE ASSETS OF AN AGED OR DISABLED PERSON

• “Aged person" is any person 60 years or older (EPS Jurisdiction)

• "Disabled person" is a person 18 years or older who has a mental, physical, or developmental disability …. (APS Jurisdiction)

• The intentional use… management or appropriation of funds, assets or property...misuse of a power of attorney...or through fraudulent scheme…

PENALTIES FOR THEFT OF ASSETS OF ELDERLY LA R.S. 14:67.21

Value of $300 or less, MAY be imprisoned up to 6 months in prison and up to $500 (Misdemeanor)

Value of $300+ to $500, MAY be imprisoned up to 2 years in prison, with or without hard labor and up to $2000 fine (Felony)

Value of $500+, MAY be imprisoned up to 3 years in prison, with or without hard labor and up to $3000 fine (Felony)

2nd conviction, SHALL be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, up to 2 years and up to two thousand dollars (Felony)

Offender shall make full restitution to the victim

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

RECOVERY OF FUNDS AND RESTITUTION ISSUESTIME IS OF THE ESSENCE !

‘’When they’re gone, they’re gone!! ’’

Criminal Prosecution and Convictions are the best means of having restitution made to the victim and with no legal fees or costs 

Civil Recovery and Judgments (‘’Its a Civil Matter ’’)a method of recovery and restitution available but statutes of limitation often bar suit and there are no exceptions or extensions for the elderly and infirm

• Perhaps it is time to review an exception or extension of time limits for this class of persons in the civil law!

Statue of Limitations for Criminal Prosecution

• Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 572

• MISDEMEANOR:– Theft of Assets of Aged/Disabled valued < $300.00

2 years from commission of offense

• FELONY:– Theft of Assets of Aged/Disabled valued > $300– Exploitation of the Infirmed

4 years from commission of offense

STATUTE ADDED 2010

• LA CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ARTICLE 573.1RUNNING OF TIME LIMITATIONS; EXCEPTION; EXPLOITATION OF THE INFIRMED

  The time limitations established by Article 572 shall not commence to run as to the crime of exploitation of the infirmed (R.S. 14:93.4) until the crime is discovered by a competent victim, or in the case of an incompetent victim, by a competent third person.

Acts 2010, No. 317, §1.

Why Was The Statute Added ?

(1) La. R.S. 14:93.4 is designed to protect persons who are most often unable to know  that  they  are  being  exploited  or fear loss of independence or institutional care if they report the exploitation.  

(2)    The  relationship of many perpetrators to  the  victim  is  such  that trust is misplaced or the perpetrator is able to isolate the victim and financial resources from access by others.

(3)   Exploitation  is often discovered long after the 4 year prosecution period  has  passed  such  as  during  an  examination  of  records  for  a “long term care Medicaid” application’s “look back period of 5 years”;  or  when  a  victim  has  died  and  succession proceedings provide access to financial records.

IMMUNITY, CONFIDENTIALITY and CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO REPORT

• No cause of action shall exist against any person or agency who  in  good faith    provides  a  record  or  document  to  the adult protection agency

• The  identity of any person who in good faith makes a report of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or extortion shall be confidential and shall not be released without the handwritten authorization of the person making the report.

• a person who knowingly fails to report abuse may be liable for fines and/or imprisonment.  

FEDERAL FINANCIAL PRIVACY LAWFinancial Exploitation Reports are Exempt

• The Federal Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 does not apply to reports made to state or local authorities.

• 31 U.S.C. sec. 5318 (g) (3) A: Any financial institution that...makes a disclosure pursuant to this subsection or any other authority...shall  not  be  liable  to  any person  under  any  law  or  regulation  of  the  United States,  any  constitution,  law,  or  regulation  of  any State or political subdivision of any State…

• Nothing in this title shall preclude any financial institution...,from notifying  a  Government  authority  that such  institution...has  information which may be relevant to a possible violation of any statute or regulation.

• Any  financial  institution,  or  officer,  employee,  or  agent thereof…shall not be liable to the customer under any law or regulation  of  the  United  States  or  any  constitution,  law  or regulation  of  any  State  or  political  subdivision  thereof,  for such disclosure of or any failure to notify the customer  of such disclosure.

THE RIGHT TO FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT12 U.S.C. 3403 (c) (Federal)

Exempts from its privacy protection and notification to customers requirements:

Disclosure “to protect against or prevent actual or potential fraud, unauthorized transactions, claims, or other liability.”

Disclosure “to the extent specifically permitted or required under other provisions of law…to law enforcement agencies…or for an investigation on a matter related to public safety.”

Disclosure “to comply with Federal, State, or local laws, rules, and other applicable legal requirements.”

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES MODERNIZATION ACT (GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY ACT)

United States Department of The TreasuryFinancial Crimes Enforcement Network

Advisory FIN-2011-A003/ Issued: February 22, 2011 Subject: Advisory to Financial Institutions on Filing Suspicious Activity Reports

Regarding Elder Financial Exploitation

Key Areas Addressed by the Advisory Opinion• Financial institutions can play a key role• This advisory contains examples of "red flags“• Older Americans hold a high concentration of wealth• SARs continue to be a valuable avenue to report elder financial 

exploitation.• Filers should continue to report all forms of elder abuse according 

to institutional policies and the requirements of state and local laws and regulations,

Louisiana Bank Disclosure LawLinked to the Federal Law

The Louisiana Banking Law, La. R.S. 6:333, provides:

• F. The following disclosures by a bank or any affiliate are hereby specifically authorized and,…nothing in this Section shall prohibit, restrict, or otherwise apply to:

• (11) The disclosure by a bank …of financial records …in accordance with the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 3401 et seq. or 15 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.

• (12) The disclosure by a bank… of financial records …in accordance with the provisions of Title 31 U.S.C.

HOW CAN BANKERS AND FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS HELP ?

• Train and sensitize employees about financial exploitation so that they recognize and report it

• Designate a staff person whom employees must notify when questionable or illegal financial transactions are occurring

• Develop a protocol for reporting suspected financial exploitation to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services

• Train customer service specialists in interview techniques of elder customers

• Educate customers about how to recognize the signs of exploitation

SIGNS OF FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION •  A relative or caregiver with no means of support who is suddenly

interested in the elder's finances

•  The elderly person's bills are not being paid

•  A relative or caregiver who isolates the elder

•  The elder is unaware of or unable to explain their finances

•  Bank and credit card statements are sent to the relative or caregiver

•  The elder is concerned about missing money

•  Suspicious signatures on checks

•  A legal document, such as a will or power of attorney, is drafted without fully understanding by the elder

METHODS OF FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

• Taking or giving money or assets without permission or by force or intimidation

• Borrowing money and not paying it back

• Misusing ATM or credit cards

• Joint Bank Accounts where the offender's name is added to the an account

• Misusing the power of attorney or forcing the victim to agree to unintended purposes

• Living Trusts and Wills: becoming the manager, trustee or beneficiary

For Further Assistance

Contact Information:

• Donald D. Akers, Jr.Assistant District Attorney, Elderly Protective Services16th Judicial District of Louisiana300 Iberia Street, Courthouse Suite 200New Iberia, LA 70560-4583Phone: 337-369-4420Direct Ph: 337-365-3886Direct Fax:  337-365-3886

 • Additional Ph: 337-367-8451

Alternate Fax: 337-365-7034email: dakersjr@cox.net