Providence Man Charged with Elder Exploitation

News Summary

A Providence man, Thomas O’Reilly, has been arrested for elder exploitation and false pretenses. O’Reilly is accused of conspiring to obtain property under false pretenses and exploiting an elderly individual. Meanwhile, another case in North Providence involves Lisa McManaman, who is charged with misappropriating funds from her elder mother. Both incidents raise serious concerns about elder abuse and exploitation, highlighting the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to protect vulnerable seniors.

Providence Man Charged with Elder Exploitation and False Pretenses

Providence, RI – A 28-year-old man, Thomas O’Reilly, was arrested on Tuesday by the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit for charges related to elder exploitation and false pretenses. O’Reilly, a resident of Manton Avenue in Providence, faces serious allegations that he conspired to obtain property under false pretenses and exploited an elder.

Following his arrest, O’Reilly was taken to State Police Headquarters for processing and was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace. A bail amount of $200,000 with surety was set, and he was subsequently moved to the Adult Correctional Institutions Men’s Intake Center. He is awaiting a morning arraignment in the Third Division District Court.

Details surrounding O’Reilly’s case have not been fully disclosed, as state police Major Kenneth M. Moriarty did not provide additional information when asked regarding the matter.

Related Case of Elder Exploitation in North Providence

In a separate incident, authorities have charged 55-year-old Lisa McManaman from North Providence with serious offenses related to the misappropriation of funds belonging to her elder mother. McManaman is accused of improperly transferring over $240,000 from her mother’s bank account to finance the purchase of a house. She faces charges of elder exploitation over $100,000 and obtaining money by false pretenses.

Investigations revealed that McManaman’s mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2015, sold her home and began living with McManaman in 2020. In 2023, the elder daughter uncovered unauthorized transactions when her mother did not receive expected bank statements, leading to the discovery of significant losses in her account.

The investigation suggests that McManaman may have forged her mother’s signature to access approximately $213,000 of her funds. Witness interviews indicated that the mother experienced memory issues and did not approve of the money transfers being made. Currently, McManaman has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains free as her case unfolds, while her attorney claims the allegations stem from motives related to family disputes.

Background on Elder Abuse and Exploitation

The unfortunate incidents involving O’Reilly and McManaman reflect broader concerns surrounding elder abuse and exploitation, which is often perpetrated by family members or caregivers. The definition of elder abuse includes intentional acts or omissions that cause harm to older adults.

Resources such as Saint Elizabeth Community offer services specifically addressing elderly victims of abuse in Rhode Island, including initiatives dedicated to elder justice. Furthermore, June 15 is recognized globally as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, aimed at raising awareness and combating elder exploitation.

In recent years, AARP Rhode Island and state officials have raised alarms regarding financial scams that target older adults, exacerbated by the rise of artificial intelligence technology. Reports indicate that in 2023 alone, over 100,000 seniors nationwide experienced financial scams, leading to a whopping $3.4 billion in losses. In Rhode Island, individuals over 60 reported losses amounting to approximately $7.4 million.

Reporting Fraud Incidents

Authorities encourage seniors and their families to report any suspected incidents of fraud to local police, the Federal Trade Commission, and to utilize resources such as the National Elder Fraud Hotline to combat these crimes effectively. Awareness and preventive measures are crucial in protecting this vulnerable population from exploitation.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Rhode Island State Police Make Multiple Arrests on May 22

Additional Resources

• Patch: Providence Man Charged with Elder Exploitation
• Wikipedia: Elder Abuse
• Turnto10: Woman Accused of Draining Elderly Mother’s Bank Account
• Google Search: Elder Exploitation
• Providence Journal: RI Program Helps Victims of Elder Abuse
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Elder Abuse
• PBN: R.I. Coalition for Elder Justice Names Covington New Director
• Google News: Elder Abuse 2023