Dayton Bank Manager Sentenced to 5 Years for Elder Fraud
Dayton, OH (PRWEB) May 14, 2014 -- According to an Amended Complaint and other court papers filed by elder fraud litigation attorney Craig Matthews, a daughter became suspicious when her elderly parents began welcoming into their home the manager of her parents' bank, Diane Niehaus. Matthews is a litigation attorney with offices in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio. Matthews filed suit in 2011 against the bank manager, her husband, and the bank. Cline v. Niehaus, 2011CV05167 (Montgomery County, Ohio, 2011)
Matthews believes that senior citizens are frequent victims of elder fraud. "They often are lonely, isolated, and some suffer from poor memory. If dementia is involved, judgment can be very poor, making them an easy target."
The civil suit was settled on May 24, 2012, according to court documents.
After the civil case was settled, the FBI and IRS closed in with criminal investigations and a criminal complaint was filed on March 8, 2013. USA v. Diane Elizabeth Niehaus, 3:13-CR-00091-TSB-1 (USDC, SD Ohio, 2013) According to the court docket, Niehaus entered into a plea agreement on September 19, 2013. On May 8, 2014, she was sentenced to 5 years in the federal penitentiary.
According to the Sentencing Memorandum filed by the federal prosecutor on May 6, 2014, Niehaus, the government allegations included that she "methodically targeted" elderly bank customers and "used a host of deceptive tactics, including but not limited to: creating fictitious gift letters and fraudulent powers of attorney; engaging in complicated and layered financial transactions to conceal her theft." The Sentencing Memorandum also detailed a history of "fraudulent activity." According to the Memorandum's allegations, "Niehaus caused to be filed a vexatious lawsuit against the children of one of her victims" and "falsely accused" the children of stealing "over $300,000 in cash" from the victim's home.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Black told Niehaus she was as “skillful and sophisticated a manipulator as this judge has seen in 20 years” and that her bank job put her in “perfect position to rape and pillage (the victims’) savings” according to the Dayton Daily News. http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/crime-law/former-banker-sentenced-to-5-years-for-defrauding-/nfrsK/?ref=cbTopWidget
Matthews focuses on elder fraud litigation. He conducts thorough forensic analysis to locate missing funds. "Even when the victim is not fully aware that assets have been stolen, we can help." Elder fraud is Matthews' professional passion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4FLvHgo4dk
Attorney Craig Matthews maintains law offices in Dayton and Cincinnati and focuses on elder fraud investigation and litigation. Matthews has practiced law for more than 35 years and began focusing on elder fraud more than 20 years ago. http://www.seniorcitizenfraud.com He has authored numerous articles and given television interviews regarding elder fraud.
Most recently, Matthews spoke on the topic of elder fraud at the Annual Convention of the Ohio Association for Justice in Columbus. He can be reached at 937-434-9393 or by email to cmatthews(at)ctmlaw(dot)com
Craig Matthews, Craig T. Matthews & Associates, LPA, http://www.ctmlaw.com, +1 (937) 434-9393, [email protected]
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