Louisiana Elder Fraud Statutes
Louisiana defines exploitation as “the illegal or improper use or management of the funds, assets, or property of a person who is aged or an adult with a disability, or the use of power of attorney or guardianship of a person who is aged or an adult with a disability for one’s own profit or advantage.”
Duty to ReportIf someone believes that an adult has been affected by abuse or exploitation, they are obligated to make a report. If they don’t, they will be guilty of a misdemeanor that could result in a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail sentence of up to six months. When a report is made in good faith and the person cooperates in an investigation, he or she will be immune from criminal or civil liability.
Penalties for Elder FraudWhen someone is convicted of exploiting an older person, they may receive a fine of up to $10,000. They could also get a prison sentence of up to 10 years. In addition, the guilty person will be prohibited from accessing the assets or property, or acting as power of attorney or guardian for the victim or any other elderly individual.
What Rights do Victims in Louisiana Have?An elderly person who has been exploited shouldn’t just wait for the government to resolve the situation; they can take matters into their own hands. If you are a victim, you should speak with an experienced elder financial fraud attorney. For a free consultation, contact the Silver Law Group. We will tell you about your rights and how we may be able to help you get back lost funds. You can call us toll-free at 1-800-975-4345 or send us a message through our online contact form. Because we work on contingency, you will only owe us a fee if you recover money.