FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ELDER PROSECUTED FOR ELDER FRAUD

San Antonio, Texas: May 7, 2009:

Bexar County District Attorney Susan D. Reed announced today that Shirley M. Brooks, age 71, entered into a plea agreement calling for a term of five years in which the State agreed to remain silent on the issue of probation. After hearing the evidence, 399th District Court Judge Juanita Vasquez-Gardner sentenced Brooks to five years in prison for the offenses of Theft $1,500-$20,000 from the Elderly and Misapplication of Fiduciary Property $1,500-$20,000 from the Elderly.

The charges arise from Brooks’ actions after befriending her 89 year old male victim. The evidence revealed that they attended the same church. Brooks obtained a power of attorney which allowed her to access the victim’s bank account. The elderly victim was hospitalized on April 12, 2007 and died on April 19, 2007. The evidence further showed that immediately after the victim entered the hospital Brooks began writing checks from the victim’s bank account to herself and her family members totaling $18,500, which represented the bulk of the victim’s life savings.

Theft $1,500-$20,000 from the Elderly and Misapplication of Fiduciary Property $1,500-$20,000 from the Elderly are both third degree felonies that carry a range of punishment of 2-10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

For more information, contact Adrian Biggs, Chief, White Collar Crime Division at 335-2404.