Duo Accused Of 'Devious Scheme' To Con Old Woman Of $280K: NY AG

ULSTER COUNTY, NY — A father and daughter accused of stealing more than $280,000 from an elderly woman in Ulster County in a year-long scam have been indicted and arrested, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday.

Frank Whittaker, 56, of Kingston and his daughter Christine Ellsworth, 38, of Accord first provided lawn maintenance and assisted with household tasks, earning the trust of the victim before proceeding to drain her life savings, prosecutors said.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James called it "a devious scheme."

“There was no regard for the victim’s well-being, who trusted and depended on Whittaker and Ellsworth as caregivers," he said.

Beginning in 2021, Whittaker began doing odd jobs for the woman, who needed assistance caring for herself and her home. Whittaker introduced his daughter to the victim, who hired Ellsworth as her “companion.”

Prosecutors alleged the two ingratiated themselves and convinced the victim that their assistance was vital to her well-being.

Then, prosecutors said, the duo convinced the victim to grant Whittaker power of attorney over her affairs. He added himself as the POA on multiple bank and annuity accounts belonging to the victim, with Ellsworth named as the successor POA.

Even with POA, Whittaker was not legally allowed to spend the victim’s money for his and his daughter’s personal benefit, prosecutors said.

Over the next year, prosecutors said, Whittaker and Ellsworth stole over $280,000. They wrote themselves over $49,000 in checks and illegally transferred over $230,000 in funds from the victim’s bank and investment accounts into an account in Whittaker’s name. Thousands of the victim's money was spent on a new 2021 GMC Sierra pickup truck costing $57,500, and at local restaurants and stores, including Walmart, a jeweler, and florists. Numerous cash withdrawals were made, including at ATMs located in Turning Stone Casino and Resort in Verona, and the Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs.

Whittaker and Ellsworth were arraigned before Ulster County Judge Bryan E. Rounds. They were charged with second-degree grand larceny.

If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

Attorney General James thanked the New York State Police Financial Crimes Unit, the Ulster County Department of Social Services, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office for their valuable assistance in this matter.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Cheryl J. Lee of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau (CEFC). Analytical work was provided by Legal Analyst Kai Tsurumaki under the supervision of Supervising Analyst Paul Strocko and Deputy Supervising Analyst Jayleen Garcia. Forensic accounting was performed by Forensic Auditor Kirven Bashiri, under the supervision of Chief Auditor Kristen Fabbri and Deputy Chief Auditor Sandy Bizzarro of the Forensic Audit Section. CEFC is led by Bureau Chief Stephanie Swenton and Deputy Bureau Chief Joseph G. D’Arrigo.

The criminal investigation was conducted by Detectives Eamon H. Murphy and Jason Johnston, under the supervision of Assistant Chief Samuel Scotellaro and Deputy Chief Juanita Bright of the Major Investigations Unit. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Investigator Oliver Pu-Folkes. Both CEFC and the Investigations Bureau are part of the Division for Criminal Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.