The caseload continues to expand and staffs continue to shrink in adult protective services.  As D.A., what kind of support will you give to protect seniors in all areas of elder abuse – financial, emotional and physical?   

Despite increased work, decreased funding and staff, my office has shown an absolute commitment to identifying and punishing those who take advantage of seniors and dependent adults. An example is our current case against 22 nursing homes throughout the state of California for failing to provide adequate nursing staff and services to elderly in their control.  The case has been in trial since January of 2010 and is expected to continue through July. This case has received attention statewide attention due to the seriousness of the violations and the unnecessary danger such violations expose our elderly and dependant adults to. 

Recently, a number of local seniors felt they were taken advantage of by a security company.  In some cases, the seniors ended up with a terrible choice: pay for a contract they did not know they had signed or pay for their medication.  What role can the D.A. play in helping the few services still available to work on such issues?  

The investigators in my office have specialized training in cases involving fraud.  My office has two separate units assigned to the identification and prosecution of fraud cases: the Consumer and Environmental Unit and the Worker’s Compensation Fraud unit.  As a result, my investigators have increased training and experience in document and computer forensics investigations which are a characteristic of the fraud that is commonly committed against elderly and dependant adults. Advocates for the elderly and dependent adults and/or family members should reach out to my office on all issues involving crimes or fraudulent activity against the elderly and dependant adults.

Describe how you would be active or innovative in making your office available to seniors?   

Despite the reduction in resources and staff, we have increased our efforts and our effectiveness in providing protections to elderly and dependant adults.  Our case against 22 nursing homes is a collaborative effort between my office, four other District Attorney’s offices, and three civil law firms.  We had to be more creative and innovative to take on that case.  We will continue to innovative, creative and collaborative  so we can continue to increase protections for elderly and dependant adults and let those who would take advantage of them that such conduct will not be tolerated in Humboldt County.