In a city where headlines are too often dominated by violence, a quieter but equally damaging war is being waged against Baltimore's elders. State's Attorney Ivan Bates, together with the Economic Crimes Unit, has announced a series of convictions and indictments centered on elder abuse, highlighting a pernicious trend in our society's treatment of its most vulnerable. In a recent press conference, Bates emphasized that economic crimes, though less visible, "cause significant harm to our housing market and local economy," as FOX Baltimore reported.
Among those convicted was James Rickey Dupree, who bypassed security at the Port Authority to abscond with luxury vehicles worth nearly $200,000, per the State's Attorney's announcement via FOX Baltimore. The Economic Crimes Unit's efforts have not been limited to a single case; a cadre of individuals, including Maurice Ford and his conspirators, have been indicted on charges that they schemed to steal over $50,000 from Horseshoe Casino.
The Elderly and Disabled Persons Unit, a new force within the State's Attorney's Office, is working to staunchly protect the city's vulnerable residents from an onslaught of scams. Launched last September, the unit specifically targets those who might exploit the elderly or disabled for personal gain. Chief of the Economic Crimes Older and Disabled Persons Unit, Shari Greene, stated, "It is heinous for a person to get to their golden years, and someone makes them feel unsafe," per CBS Baltimore report.
The office also focuses on education and recently held a resource fair and luncheon to help older adults avoid financial scams. The event provided tips for protecting finances, like regularly checking credit reports and being cautious about adding people to joint bank accounts. In a touching moment, it was shared that a tip from a luncheon attendee last year led to the indictment of a granddaughter accused of stealing from her elderly grandmother. This case, along with others discussed, shows that the people closest to victims can often be the ones committing the crimes, as noted by the State's Attorney's Office and reported by CBS Baltimore.
Bates and his team remain committed to advocating for those who can no longer defend themselves. With a hotline (844-726-6378) and email support ([email protected]), the office stands as a bulwark against financial exploitation, inviting those who suspect abuse to come forward.
