Dad, Daughter Conned Elderly Hudson Valley Woman Out Of $280K
KINGSTON, NY — A father and daughter who took advantage of a senior citizen they befriended have learned their fate. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday the conviction and sentencing of 56-year-old Frank Whittaker, of Kingston, and his daughter, 39-year-old Christine Ellsworth, of Accord, for the theft of over $230,000 from a vulnerable elderly victim in Ulster County. "Scamming vulnerable seniors out of their savings that took a lifetime of hard work to earn is heartless," James said. "Frank Whittaker and Christine Ellsworth maliciously gained the trust of an innocent, elderly woman and stole her life savings in order to treat themselves to a new car and visits to restaurants and casinos. I thank the New York State Police and our partners in law enforcement for their continued assistance in this investigation. Anyone who attempts to defraud New Yorkers to line their own pockets will be brought to justice."SEE ALSO: Duo Accused Of 'Devious Scheme' To Con Old Woman Of $280K: NY AGBeginning in 2021, Whittaker and Ellsworth gained the trust of the victim, who needed help caring for herself and her home. Whittaker convinced the victim to grant him Power of Attorney (POA) over her affairs and added himself as the POA on several bank and annuity accounts belonging to the victim, with Ellsworth named as the successor POA. While he had POA, Whittaker was not legally allowed to spend the victim's money for his and his daughter's personal benefit.Over the next year, the father and daughter stole over $230,000 from the victim and used the stolen money to buy a new 2021 GMC Sierra pickup truck costing $57,500, and also spent thousands of dollars at local restaurants and stores, including Walmart, a jeweler, and florists, among other personal expenses. The duo also made several cash withdrawals, including at ATMs located in Turning Stone Casino and Resort in Verona, and the Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs.In August 2024, Whittaker and Ellsworth were charged by an Ulster County grand jury with felony second-degree grand larceny. At the time of their arrests, the AG's office executed a search warrant to seize the remaining funds in Whittaker's bank account, recovering over $92,000 of the victim's stolen money.On November 12, 2024, Whittaker pleaded guilty to felony third-degree grand larceny, and Ellsworth pleaded guilty to misdemeanor petit larceny. Whittaker was sentenced on Tuesday to five years' probation, and is required to pay $192,000 in restitution to the elderly victim, including forfeiture of the $92,000 that the AG's office seized from his bank account. Ellsworth was sentenced to three years' probation and as a condition of her probation, she will not be allowed to work with the elderly for three years.The attorney general thanked the New York State Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit, the Ulster County Department of Social Services, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, and the Ulster County District Attorney's Office for their assistance in the case."I want to thank the Attorney General’s Office for their strong partnership that has led to the sentencing of these two individuals and their dishonest act," New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said. "This joint investigation found that Mr. Whittaker and Ms. Ellsworth preyed on a vulnerable victim who entrusted them to provide care for her, but instead chose to financially profit off her situation. The New York State Police will continue to put an end to these crimes and ensure innocent victims will not be taken advantage of."The article Dad, Daughter Conned Elderly Hudson Valley Woman Out Of $280K appeared first on Mid Hudson Valley, NY Patch.
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