Crime & Safety
Tarpon Springs Man Accused Of Taking Advantage of Elderly Person
Detectives said William Planes claimed more than $300,000 from a settlement due the victim.
TARPON SPRINGS, FL — Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office have arrested an 80-year-old man accused of stealing a large amount of money from an elderly person's bank account.
According to detectives, in March 2018, the 88-year-old victim hired William Planes of Cypress Lakeview Court in Tarpon Springs, who worked at Coast to Coast Inc. financial advisers.
Detectives said the victim has received a legal settlement after the sale of two commercial properties. They said Planes convinced the victim to deposit $1,450,000 into his Coast to Coast Inc. business account.
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In September 2018 when the funds were set to be released to the victim, Planes informed the 88-year-old that he was keeping $322,943.90, as part of a 20 percent contingency fee.
The victim did not speak fluent English and had health issues related to his age when he hired Planes to be a trusted financial adviser. Detectives said the victim never agreed to a 20 percent contingency.
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On Thursday, Planes was arrested and charged with exploitation of the elderly.
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