ELDER FINANCIAL ABUSE - STEPHEN W. BUNCH
News Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023
ELDER FINANCIAL ABUSE - STEPHEN W. BUNCH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday – March 2, 2023Contact: Chief County Detective Michael J. Gombar
mgombar@countyofberks.com
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Elder Financial Abuse - Arrest
DEFENDANT: Stephen W. BUNCH (25 years of age)
Reading, PA
CHARGES: Theft by Unlawful Taking (F3)
Theft by Deception -multiple counts (F3)
Receiving Stolen Property (F3)
Financial Exploitation of Older Adult or Care-Dependent Person (F3)
Securing Execution of Documents by Deception (M2)
Unsworn Falsification to Authorities (M3)
DETAILS OF INCIDENT:
In August of 2022, the Berks County Detectives initiated an investigation into suspicious transactions from financial accounts belonging to a 91-year-old male who had passed away in 2020. It was suspected that prior to the victim’s death, the defendant, acting as his Power of Attorney (POA), conducted financial transactions without the victim’s consent.
The investigation revealed that for approximately one year prior to his death, the victim was residing at Berks Heim Nursing and Rehabilitation facility in Leesport, PA. Upon admittance to Berks Heim, the defendant, acting in the capacity of the victim’s POA, filed a Medicaid Medical Assistance Application that failed to disclose thousands of dollars in assets belonging to the victim. This greatly affected the funds owed to Berks Heim for the victim’s care. Further investigation resulted in numerous search warrants being served on financial institutions that showed funds being transferred from the victim’s accounts into accounts held by the defendant. In addition to the monetary transfers into the defendant’s accounts, it was determined that various items, including guns and ammunition, were purchased by the defendant utilizing the victim’s credit card.
This investigation further revealed that while acting as the victim’s POA, the defendant did defraud Berks Heim by filing an application that contained false and inaccurate information. In addition, the defendant did obtain funds from the victim’s bank accounts for personal gain and did utilize the victim’s credit card to purchase items for his own personal use.
On Thursday, March 2, 2023, the defendant was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking, Theft by Deception (multiple counts), Receiving Stolen Property, Financial Exploitation of Older Adult or Care-Dependent Person, Securing Execution of Documents by Deception, and Unsworn Falsification to Authorities A warrant of arrest was issued for the defendant by MDJ Brian K. Strand.
On Thursday, March 2, 2023, the defendant surrendered to the Berks County Detectives.
He was arraigned and bail was set at $50,000 unsecured. He remains free awaiting further court action.
A Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation revealed that for approximately one year prior to his death, the victim was residing at Berks Heim Nursing and Rehabilitation facility in Leesport, PA. Upon admittance to Berks Heim, the defendant, acting in the capacity of the victim’s POA, filed a Medicaid Medical Assistance Application that failed to disclose thousands of dollars in assets belonging to the victim. This greatly affected the funds owed to Berks Heim for the victim’s care. Further investigation resulted in numerous search warrants being served on financial institutions that showed funds being transferred from the victim’s accounts into accounts held by the defendant. In addition to the monetary transfers into the defendant’s accounts, it was determined that various items, including guns and ammunition, were purchased by the defendant utilizing the victim’s credit card.
This investigation further revealed that while acting as the victim’s POA, the defendant did defraud Berks Heim by filing an application that contained false and inaccurate information. In addition, the defendant did obtain funds from the victim’s bank accounts for personal gain and did utilize the victim’s credit card to purchase items for his own personal use.
On Thursday, March 2, 2023, the defendant was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking, Theft by Deception (multiple counts), Receiving Stolen Property, Financial Exploitation of Older Adult or Care-Dependent Person, Securing Execution of Documents by Deception, and Unsworn Falsification to Authorities A warrant of arrest was issued for the defendant by MDJ Brian K. Strand.
On Thursday, March 2, 2023, the defendant surrendered to the Berks County Detectives.
He was arraigned and bail was set at $50,000 unsecured. He remains free awaiting further court action.
A Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.