Attorney general cites rise in elderly abuse

WARREN - A downturn in the economy has contributed to an increase in cases of abuse against the elderly, according to Ohio's attorney general Richard Cordray.

''There will always be people willing to do harm to a vulnerable population,'' said Cordray, who spoke in Warren Friday. But the state's top prosecutor says it's becoming more common to find foreclosure rescue scams and job search scams.

''We've issued cease and desist orders against 30 so far this year. Not only do they convince you to pay them, and they'll handle the foreclosure for you. We've seen homeowners signing over their deeds, thinking someone will make the mortgage payments for them. Or, an arrangement where they convince homeowners they can pay rent and still remain in the home,'' said Cordray, who was speaking Friday at the 29th annual Probate Practice Seminar.

The seminar put on by Trumbull County Probate Judge Thomas A. Swift is held for legal and medical professionals annual with lawyers earning continuing education credits.

Ohio Supreme Court Justices Maureen O'Connor and Judith Ann Lazinger also spoke on the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions.

''There are more victims since the times are bad,'' said Cordray, who said his office has found predatory behavior with those claiming to find a job for a client.

''And they're hard to prosecute. They tell us 'well, we just haven't found anything for them yet,' '' he said.

The attorney general urged professionals to monitor the elderly who sometimes are confused and simply forget to pay taxes, causing an increase in delinquency lists. Cordray said he started seeing the forgetfulness when he served as a state treasurer and Franklin County treasurer.

He also explained how his assistants also have more work in terms of nursing home patient abuse and neglect with Medicaid fraud.

cbobby@tribtoday.com