Elderly get support from Justice initiative | News, Sports, Jobs

Staff report

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland is joining the battle against crimes against the elderly.

In recognition of the annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, a U.S. attorney out of the Northern Ohio District talked about crimes against the elderly across northern Ohio.

“Many of us are familiar with instances involving the exploitation of loved ones or our older relatives,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “The Department of Justice and law enforcement in this region are committed to protecting and supporting the most vulnerable among us, including by advancing elder justice initiatives and providing support through grants, training and other resources.”

The Cleveland office is one of 94 U.S. Attorney locations across the country that houses an “elder justice coordinator.” This attorney focuses on prosecuting cases of elder abuse, including by supporting the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force.

The strike force, which was launched and is led by the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, brings together attorneys, agents and analysts from across the federal government to disrupt and prosecute foreign-based fraud schemes that target American senior citizens, a news release states.

In addition, the Department of Justice continues to expand the capacity to protect and support survivors of elder abuse. This includes a training and technical assistance program to develop and expand statewide Elder Justice Coalitions and an Abuse in Later Life Program, which supports organizations dedicated to assisting older individuals and advancing comprehensive, multi-disciplinary solutions to elder abuse.

Those elderly residents who need assistance or to report a case of abuse are asked to contact the area adult protective services agency (Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office at 330-675-2426 / Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office at (330) 740-2330) or contact the national helpline at 1-800-677-1116. The hotline operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To report elder fraud, please visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center or contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 1-833-372-8311. This fraud hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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