Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has filed criminal charges against three women accused of defrauding a Florida senior widow out of $350,000. The charges follow an investigation by the Leesburg Police Department, with assistance from Attorney General Moody’s Senior Protection Team.
According to the investigation, Kimberly Bitting obtained power of attorney over her elderly neighbor, a grieving widow, and abused that authority to transfer large sums of money from the victim’s accounts to her own. Bitting also issued checks to co-defendants Lara Larsen and Ashton Silvis, falsely presenting them as payments for caregiving and other services that were never performed.
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“These women pretended to be concerned caregivers, but instead exploited their elderly neighbor’s trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Attorney General Moody. “Older Floridians deserve to trust those close to them during difficult times, not worry about being exploited. Thanks to our Senior Protection Team and law enforcement partners, these defendants will now face justice in court.”
Over an 18-month period, Bitting unlawfully used her power of attorney to withdraw funds from the victim’s accounts. She also purchased two parcels of land with the victim’s money. In total, the defendants are accused of stealing approximately $350,000.
Bitting faces charges including three counts of elderly exploitation of more than $50,000 and one count of organized fraud over $50,000, both first-degree felonies. Silvis is charged with one count of organized fraud between $20,000 and $50,000, a second-degree felony. Larsen is charged with organized fraud under $20,000, a third-degree felony. All three defendants also face charges of cashing or depositing items with intent to defraud, a third-degree felony.
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The Senior Protection Team aided in the investigation, and Attorney General Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, in partnership with the Lake County State Attorney’s Office, will prosecute the case. Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Taylor Chatting, cross-sworn as an Assistant State Attorney, will handle the proceedings.
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