Exploited Elders Archives

Illustration of an older woman sitting on a couch with a cane next to her, with piles of garbage and papers scattered around the room.

Former Chicago Citi VP sentenced to 30 months for swindling $1.5 million from older clients

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly slammed Helen Caldwell for violating her position of trust, and ordered her to report in June to begin serving her sentence. Her case was featured last year in the Injustice Watch series Exploited Elders.

by Eva Putnam April 18, 2024April 18, 2024

The exterior of a Citibank branch on Michigan Avenue in Chicago

Exploited Elders

Former Chicago Citi vice president pleads guilty in elder fraud case

Helen Caldwell pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for bilking $1.5 million from elder banking clients in Chicago by steering them to invest in her slasher movie company, a story detailed in last year’s Injustice Watch series Exploited Elders.

by David Jackson January 12, 2024April 2, 2024

Exploited Elders

Citi wealth adviser accused of steering older clients into money-losing film projects

The horror film producer is accused in court docs of soliciting investments from elder clients, part of what experts say is a growing national trend of financial professionals preying on older Americans and their bank accounts.

by David Jackson August 18, 2023July 23, 2024

Exploited Elders

Probate court cases illustrate Illinois’ broken adult protection system

In a letter to a social service agency, the Cook County Public Guardian criticized a lack of state intervention in several instances in which older adults with disabilities were being defrauded.

by David Jackson August 18, 2023February 2, 2024

A colorful mural with faces of Black Americans and words including "legacy," "pride," "unity," "fellowship," "peace," and "community".

Exploited Elders

Older Black Americans are at higher risk for financial exploitation

Advocates and experts say there are a number of reasons Black Americans are targeted more for financial scams, including higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease, disparities in wealth and financial literacy, and lack of police response.

by David Jackson August 11, 2023July 23, 2024

A stack of file folders next to partially-redacted papers fanned out on the floor.

Exploited Elders

How we reported on elder financial exploitation

Injustice Watch reviewed thousands of pages of records, analyzed previously unpublished federal data, and interviewed more than 50 victims, family members, and experts for our project on elder financial exploitation.

by David Jackson August 11, 2023February 2, 2024

An old man in a red button-down shirt looks lovingly at and reaches his hand toward a bookshelf with bright green plants.

Exploited Elders

In Illinois, a system meant to protect against elder financial exploitation is failing

Cases are near an all-time high, while arrests and prosecutions have plummeted. Meanwhile, many older adults, like 91-year-old Paul Borik, are losing their life savings as social service caseworkers watch from the sidelines.

by David Jackson August 11, 2023July 23, 2024

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