A Hollywood woman is accused of quietly draining a longtime family friend’s savings, then feeding thousands of those dollars into slot machines at a neighborhood casino, according to police. Investigators say Kimberly Dawn Bukowski, 56, took more than $38,000 from the man while acting as his caregiver, with at least $10,000 of that money spent at Seminole Classic Casino.
In an arrest report obtained by Local 10, Hollywood police say the case surfaced in October 2024, when the victim’s daughter, who holds power of attorney, noticed his medication bills were not being paid. A closer look at his finances allegedly revealed a trail of irregular activity on his Bank of America account, including multiple ATM withdrawals and Zelle transfers tied to Bukowski, and TD Bank checks written to her that detectives say carried forged signatures. Bukowski later turned herself in at the Broward Main Jail and was being held on a $10,000 bond, according to online booking records cited in the report.
Detectives say many of the ATM withdrawals were made at Seminole Classic Casino and that some of those transactions were captured on bank surveillance. According to the report, Bukowski told investigators the man had willingly allowed her to use his money and produced a notarized letter she said authorized the spending. Hollywood Police Detective Maria Periu wrote that the victim "does recall going with Kimberly Bukowski to get a paper notarized" and that he "had full trust in her," as stated in the document referenced by Local 10.
Why this often goes unseen
Financial exploitation by caregivers and long-trusted friends can simmer under the radar until something routine, like a prescription refill or utility bill, suddenly goes unpaid. Older Americans reported nearly $4.9 billion in fraud losses in 2024, and advocates say the mix of peer-to-peer payment apps and deep relationships of trust leaves many seniors vulnerable to slow, hard-to-spot theft, according to AARP.
Charges and what prosecutors can seek
Bukowski faces a charge under Florida law that targets the exploitation of elderly or disabled adults, with penalties that escalate based on how much money is taken and the accused person’s role. Fla. Stat. §825.103 defines what qualifies as exploitation and increases the degree of felony according to the value involved, while §825.1035 allows courts to issue injunctions designed to freeze assets and shield vulnerable adults, according to the statute pages maintained by the Florida Legislature.
What families should do
Families who suspect a loved one is being financially exploited are urged to save statements and bank records, contact the financial institutions involved, and reach out to local law enforcement, Adult Protective Services, or an elder-law attorney. In Florida, suspected exploitation can be reported around the clock to the state Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) or online via the Department of Children and Families.
