SACO, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A Saco woman is facing charges after police said she stole more than $37,000 from an elderly man she had volunteered to assist.
"I almost always hear, 'I never thought it would happen to me.' The number one reason an elder doesn't think it can't happen to him or her, the financial exploitation has been done by someone they know and trust. Either a family member, a close friend, and a caregiver," said Staff Attorney Elizabeth LaPierre with Maine Legal Services for the Elderly.
Susan Sajecki, 52, helped a 78-year-old Saco man, who is legally blind, with his day to day activities. The victim in this latest case did not want to be identified, but did speak with NEWS CENTER over the phone. He said Sajecki had been helping him for a couple months, describing her as very nice and said they had gotten along great.
LaPierre explains it takes a community effort to stop elder abuse.
"It is amazing how many referrals legal services for the elderly people get from folks in the community who have seen that financial exploitation was happening," she said.
The victim thanked a local credit union for noticing something was off about the signatures on his checks, which were made out to Sajecki. The employees contacted the victim and the York County Sheriff's Office.
York County Sheriff's office said the man did not give permission for her to cash the checks or authorize the multiple suspicious charges on his credit card.
Officials said an analysis revealed the cashed checks and charges added up to more than $37,000.
The Sheriff's office said Sajecki also had an unpaid fines from a previous traffic charge of operating after suspension.
When interviewed, Sajecki allegedly confessed to stealing the man's money and offered to make restitution. Sajecki was charged with theft by unauthorized taking.
Sajecki was released on bail Tuesday evening.
Help is always available on the state's Legal Services for the Elderly hotline at 1-800-750-5353. LaPierre encourages anyone who thinks they could be facing financial abuse to call and all calls are confidential.
"A lot of elders and seniors who are being abused can feel shame and guilt and think they did something wrong, but they need to understand they are not alone it is not their fault and we are here to help," said LaPierre.
Warning signs and ways you can help are available on the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention online.
