Cook County Elder Financial Abuse: Melrose Man Accused of Stealing over $900,000 from His Aunt
Chester Czernwinski has been indicted for financial exploitation of the elderly/disabled and two felony counts of theft above $100,000. The 59-year-old Melrose Park man is accused of “methodically” taking over $900,000 from his elderly aunt, a widow in her 90’s that suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Elder financial abuse is Chicago elder abuse.
Czernwinski first gained access to her funds in February 2005 when he was given power of attorney. His aunt moved in with him and he handled her finances until her death in April 2008.
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, while Czernwinski was in charge of his aunt’s money, he cashed out her life insurance, stocks, and annuities. He also sold her home in Broadview. Czernwinski allegedly used the money he made, as well as money from her bank accounts, for his personal use, including $30,000 for his son’s wedding, and $53,000 for a Lincoln Navigator.
Last year, the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Financial Crimes Unit started investigating Czernwinski following a relative’s complaint that there was money missing from woman’s estate. The relative later filed a Cook County lawsuit against Czernwinski, accusing him of “methodically” emptying out the woman's assets.
The woman’s relatives have said that Czernwinski prevented them from seeing her and that he kept her in his house basement until she was transferred to a nursing home.
Elder Financial Abuse
Our Chicago nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers represent elderly seniors who suffered financial losses because someone stole their money from them. Unfortunately, many elderly seniors who rely on others for care are easy targets of elder financial abuse. There are people out there who will take advantage of someone suffering from Dementia or who is too afraid to report that he/she is being taken advantage of by a caretaker or someone else who has access to the victim’s bank accounts or other funds.
Melrose Park man stole $900K from disabled aunt, Chicago Sun-Times, April 9, 2011
Ill. man accused of stealing $900,000 from aunt, Chicago Tribune, April 9, 2011
Related Web Resources:
Elder Fraud by Relatives or Caregivers
Financial Abuse, National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
More Blog Posts:
Father and Son Accused of Chicago Elder Financial Abuse of Mentally Disabled Victim, Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, September 27, 2010
Cook County Nursing Home Negligence?: Palos Park Nursing Home Residents Allegedly Robbed by Men Posing as Teens, Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, August 5, 2010
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Battles Financial Elder Abuse with New Law, Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, July 19, 2010
