NYC woman stole $350K of 100-year-old victim's 'hard-earned money': DA's office
NEW YORK (PIX11) – A Bronx woman has officially been charged with reportedly stealing more than $350,000 from a 100-year-old man, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Thursday.
Rosalind Hernandez served as the victim's Power of Attorney from July 2023 to June 2024.
During this time, she wrote over $450,000 in checks to two unknown individuals. She also purchased lingerie, clothing, haircuts, and an entrepreneurship training program subscription for herself and her niece.
Hernandez also funded her Lyft account with the victim's money, spending over $900 worth of trips from her account.
"Rosalind Hernandez allegedly stole over $350,000 from a 100-year-old man who entrusted her with his Power of Attorney. The victim relied on Ms. Hernandez for help, yet after she befriended him, she allegedly broke his trust and stole his hard-earned money for her personal greed," said District Attorney Bragg.
Prosecutors say Hermadez befriended the 100-year-old man when she was employed as the building supervisor in an apartment building in Chelsea. As the man became weaker and frail, she suggested that the victim give her his Power of Attorney. The victim agreed.
In the summer of 2023, the victim fell and was seriously injured, with little chance of recovery, officials said. The victim entrusted Hernandez to sell his apartment and handle his affairs in exchange for $100,000.
Instead, she went on a spending spree using the victim's debit and credit cards to make numerous personal transactions.
Hernadez spending habits were discovered when the victim recovered from his injuries and returned to New York after visiting his family. He was able to regain access to his financial accounts.
Hernandez faces one count of grand larceny in the second degree and one in the third.
If you or someone else is a victim of elder abuse, contact the Elder Abuse Unit at 212-335-9007 or email EAU@dany.nyc.gov, the Manhattan District Attorney's office said.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.