North Union woman suspected of draining $690K from dementia patient无毛视频檚 bank accounts
A North Union Township woman suspected of stealing more than $690,000 from an elderly dementia patient’s bank accounts is facing more than 1,600 felony charges.
State police charged Lisa Costolo, 58, with theft by unlawful taking and access device fraud Thursday.
The criminal complaint alleges that Norma Scott signed over her power of attorney to Costolo in 2015. Scott told investigators in March 2020 that Costolo was a friend and neighbor, but that she only gave permission for the money to be spent on her bills.
Costolo claimed in an interview with police that Scott had given her verbal permission to use the accounts to care for herself and her children, but nothing to that effect was ever stated in writing.
In October 2018, Scott moved permanently to Uniontown Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Charging documents state that her dementia was severe and she was unable to care for herself.
Staff at the health care center told police that Costolo came to the facility to take care of Scott’s bills, but would not visit with her. Scott also believed her parents were alive and assisting with finances. Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said Scott did not have any family to help her. She died on July 27, 2021.
“Toward the end of her life, as she was becoming less able to handle her own affairs, (Costolo) was using her money to her own benefit,” Aubele said.
According to the complaint, a forensic audit showed that $691,888.18 had been withdrawn from Scott’s accounts between November 2015 and February 2020. However, police are charging Costolo specifically for 812 transactions beginning in October 2018, when Scott moved to the health care center.
For each transaction she faces one count of theft and one count of access device fraud for a total of 1,624 felony charges.
Between October 2018 and June 2020, investigators claim that Costolo stole $172,278.59 from Scott. While the majority was taken as cash withdrawals from ATMs, police said the accounts were used for Costolo’s personal spending, including fuel, travel, Amazon purchases, restaurants and her daughter’s wedding, charging documents allege.
Aubele said cases in which the elderly are victimized can be difficult to prosecute.
“I think it’s way too common, and it’s very hard for us to prove. By the time anyone finds anything out, the victim is deceased or unable to give us any indication of what is going on. This crime was discovered because the care home was cognizant. They saw the issues here,” Aubele said.
According to the complaint, Costolo fell behind on payments to the care home and told employees she did not have the money. Costolo was advised to apply for Medicaid, which required providing five years of bank statements.
Ultimately, the bank records showed that Scott had a significant sum of money drained from her account over the years.
“When they looked back, they realized she had a lot of money. She spent her whole life saving and putting away money for this reason,” Aubele said.
According to Aubele, the rate at which Costolo was spending played a significant role in police being able to file charges against her, as did being able to interview Scott while she was alive.
Aubele offered words of caution to those considering entrusting another person with their power of attorney.
“They need to understand the ramifications of power of attorney. You need to find somebody responsible. Somebody who is going to be looking out for your best interests,” Aubele said.
Costolo was arraigned Thursday morning before District Judge Nathan Henning, who released her on $200,000 unsecured bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 14.