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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Two Years for Stealing From Old and Infirm

WHITE PLAINS (CN) - A health care aide will serve two years in prison for ripping off two elderly demented people in Scarsdale whom she was hired to care for, a federal judge ruled Monday.

Isabel Wilson was convicted in July of stealing the couple's identities to make $73,000 worth of purchases on their credit cards.

Described as "despicable" and "a thief" by U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti at sentencing, the Liberian national used the stolen funds to make a down payment on a Porsche and buy other luxury goods for herself and her husband.

Two years is the minimum sentence Briccetti could have applied after convicting Wilson of fraud, aggravated identity theft and other crimes at a three-day bench trial. She faced up to 50 years and a $250,000 fine.

Wilson was hired in 2005 to live with and care for an elderly couple in Scarsdale, both of whom suffered from dementia. She used their names and Social Security numbers to open seven credit cards in their names and buy herself and her husband plane tickets, furniture and other goods.

Wilson also lied about her citizenship status and got a U.S. passport using the identity of a third victim. To get the passport, Wilson changed that woman's name to her own in Queens County Court, though that victim lives in Rhode Island.

The Secret Service, the State Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, The Social Security Administration, U.S. Marshals and the Post Office all were involved in tracking Wilson down.

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