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An Ulster County father and daughter have been sentenced for embezzling over $230,000 from an elderly woman. Frank Whittaker, 56, of Kingston, and his daughter Christine Ellsworth, 39, of Accord, were convicted of stealing from a 92-year-old woman after gaining her trust and obtaining power of attorney over her finances.
The New York Attorney General's Office announced that Whittaker was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $192,000 in restitution. Ellsworth received a three-year probation sentence and is barred from working with the elderly during this period. The pair began assisting the victim with household tasks in 2021 and convinced her to grant Whittaker power of attorney. They then transferred funds from her accounts for personal use, including purchasing a 2021 GMC Sierra pickup truck and spending at restaurants, stores, and casinos.
Attorney General Letitia James condemned the crime, stating, "Scamming vulnerable seniors out of their savings that took a lifetime of hard work to earn is heartless." The joint investigation involved the New York State Police and the Attorney General’s Major Investigations Unit, which revealed the extent of the financial deception. Over $92,000 was recovered from Whittaker's bank account to contribute to the restitution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Cheryl J. Lee of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau. The investigation highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and ensuring justice for victims of financial crimes.