Tributes to Bracken Bank attack victim

14th July 2009

By Lisa Campbell

Tributes have been paid to an elderly woman who died following a serious assault in Bracken Bank.

Minnie Keat, 86, died in Airedale Hospital on Sunday following an attack the previous Monday.

Her son Barry Keat, 58, from Keighley, has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Mrs Keat was described as a frail but “lovely” person who would do “anything for anybody”.

Mr Keat appeared before Bradford magistrates last Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

He is due to appear before Bradford Crown Court this Thursday via a video link from prison.

Jul 14, 2009

Source: County

Suspect took over $50k for work that was never done

Santa Barbara County Detectives have arrested a man suspected of ripping off more than a dozen people who hired him to do landscaping work.

Gilbert Lee Martinez (DOB 3/22/69) is suspected of contacting potential tree trimming clients, quoting a price, taking money up front and then leaving without ever performing any work. Over the past few months the SBSO received several complaints from victims, many who are elderly, who have paid as much as $2,000 for work that was never done.

On Thursday, July 9, 2009 authorities in Arcadia, CA detained Martinez for trying to cash a forged check. They discovered a warrant for Martinez in Santa Barbara County. SBSO Detectives immediately traveled to Arcadia where they took Martinez into custody and brought him to the Santa Barbara County Jail.

SBSO Detectives have linked Martinez to at least fourteen cases in Santa Barbara County alone. He’s believed to have stolen at least $50,000. No money was recovered during his arrest.

He faces charges of Fraud, Grand Theft, and Fiduciary Elder Abuse. He’s currently in the Santa Barbara County Jail on $50,000 bail. However, he will remain in jail on a no bail warrant in San Luis Obispo County. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2009 in North Santa Barbara County.

If you or someone you know was a victim of Martinez and have not reported it, you are encouraged to contact SBSO Detective Charles Cooley at 805-934-6176.

Break the silence campaign addresses hidden problem of elder abuse

July 15, 2009

Press release submitted by Lori L. Weber, Media Link, Inc.

Break the Silence Campaign Addresses Hidden Problem of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse, the mistreatment of an older person, takes many forms. Abuse can come in the form of physical and emotional abuse, financial exploitation or neglect. But whatever the form, elder abuse hurts – physically, emotionally and socially. The suffering that results can”t be erased, but continued suffering can be reduced with heightened awareness.

That”s why the Illinois Department on Aging designates the month of July to “Break the Silence” about elder abuse. Alternatives for the Older Adult and Protective Service providers across the state of Illinois join this effort to bring attention to the issue and the resources available for help.

Brooke County Man Charged With Elder Abuse

July 20, 2009

A man who police said was involved in the abduction of a Brooke County woman has been charged after he showed up at the nursing home where she lives.

David Matthews was arrested over the weekend on a felony count of abuse and neglect of an elder and incapacitated person.

How to detect nursing home abuse

07/17/2009

By Dan Churney

Former Jackson County attorney will serve at least six years in prison for embezzlement

by Danielle Quisenberry | Jackson Citizen Patriot

July 17, 2009

Former Jackson County lawyer Richard McQuillan said he considers it a “lifelong obligation” to pay back the heirs of an estate he said he plundered to help people in the Dominican Republic.

“It is my sincere desire to get out, to work and earn this,” said McQuillan, 55, who earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzling more than $20,000 from the estate of Robert Howard, who died in December 2006 at age 84.

First, McQuillan is to serve at least six years in prison.

Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain went well beyond state sentencing guidelines, which called for 10 to 23 months in prison or jail, and sentenced McQuillan on Thursday to six to 10 years in prison.

McBain said the guidelines did not adequately reflect the amount of money stolen — more than $800,000 — and McQuillan’s abuse of his position of trust.

“Action of an attorney like you, it damages the reputation of every attorney in the country,” McBain said.

Discovery Bay caretaker arrested in death of elderly man

By Robert Salonga
Contra Costa Times

07/20/2009

A live-in caretaker was arrested after an elderly man was found dead in his home and his wife was hospitalized because of heat-related ailments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office said.

Investigators suspect that the woman, who has been caring for the wife for less than a year, did not turn on the home’s air conditioning in 100-degree weather, said sheriff’s spokesman Jimmy Lee.

Sheriff’s deputies went to a home in the 1200 block of Discovery Bay Boulevard about 11:15 p.m. Saturday, where an elderly man was reported as not breathing. Firefighters and an ambulance were already there and George Brim, 90, was pronounced dead in an upstairs bedroom. His 85-year-old wife, Shirley Brim, was hospitalized with heat-related ailments.

While an investigation is in its early stages, Lee said it was apparent to investigators that the air conditioning in the home, which was to be monitored by the caretaker, had not been turned on in some time. The windows of the bedroom where the man was found dead were closed when emergency crews arrived.