Elder Abuse Suspected Following Large Donations

A $600,000 donation from a wealthy 87-year-old woman suffering from dementia to the Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles, as well as other questionable financial decisions made late in her life, are being investigated as a possible instance of elder abuse.

Susan Strong-Davis, the heiress to Palos Verdes Estates, made the sizable donation in 2005. In that same time period she also spent millions of dollars on renovating a four-bedroom house in Beverly Hills, CBS Los Angeles reported.

However, Strong-Davis’ family members were suspicious of the sudden expenses that she was approving because of crippling dementia she was suffering from. The family claimed that the illness had become so severe that Strong-Davis was hardly able to make even a simple decision, much less a major financial one.

Suspicions of possible elder abuse grew even stronger when it was learned that John E. Larkin, Strong-Davis’ money manager, sold the Beverly Hills property to her at a $300,000 profit for himself and was overseeing the renovations she was paying for. Furthermore, Larkin is also a member of the Kaballah Centre.

“Those with cognitive deficits are vulnerable to be taken advantage of, because they may not have the sharpness of judgment and awareness of, especially their financial matters or being able to physically take care of themselves,” Deputy District Aattorney Gina Santriano said during an interview on KNX 1070.

Elderly abuse is not always a physical act, and can involve people taking advantage of an infirmed individual and their financial assets. If you or a loved one has been the subject of any form of elder abuse, contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing an elder abuse lawsuit. 

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