Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Michaela Sprague (age 53), of Cranston, pleaded nolo contendere on Monday to one count of financial elder exploitation before Superior Court Justice Kristin Rodgers. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Sprague was sentenced to five years with two years and three months to serve on home confinement and the remainder suspended with probation. In addition, Sprague was ordered to have no contact with the victim and to repay $161,579.30 in restitution.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that between December 2010 and July 2013, Sprague transferred $161,579.30 from her elderly mother's bank account to her own bank account, using the stolen money to pay her own expenses.
Noticing a significant increase in withdrawals from the victim's account, a financial advisor brought the concerns to the victim's other family members, who in turn confronted the defendant. After Sprague failed to pay the money back as promised, the family turned the matter over to the Rhode Island State Police to investigate.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, as few as 44 in 1,000 cases of financial elder abuse by a family member are reported to authorities.
"All too often, elderly victims are ashamed with being taken advantage of by someone close to them, a child even, or they don't want to see a relative get into legal trouble. They would rather suffer impoverishment than be the one to report the abuse," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "It is critically important for all those who are involved with caring for a senior – either financially or physically, and whether in a familial or professional relationship – to know the signs of abuse and to report it to the appropriate authorities. We owe our seniors at least that."
Rhode Island State Police Lieutenant Kenneth S. Buonaiuto and Investigator Lori A. Tellier led the investigation. Special Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit Diane Daigle prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.