Action to Increase Penalties for Financial Exploitation of Elderly

Stealing from the elderly is a serious crime that deserves harsh prosecution. To close the loopholes that allow criminals to exploit senior citizens with impunity, the Senate passed a legislation that increases penalties on criminals who attempt to financially take advantage of New York’s elderly residents.

Senate Bill S.373, sponsored by Democratic Senator Tim Kennedy, adds financial exploitation of the elderly to the definition of larceny in New York State. When senior citizens are targeted for exploitation it is often by someone who has earned their trust, such as a caregiver, family member, or neighbor with whom they frequently spend time. Such individuals are often in a position to deny or threaten to deny the elderly person of food, nutrition, shelter, medication, medical care or medical treatment.