Delco D.A.: 100-year-old woman victimized

Posted by Press Release on December 2, 2015

A Bucks County accountant is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from a 100-year-old Delaware County woman, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan announced in a press release on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Jeanne Swain is accused of bilking an elderly woman out of more than $100,000. — Jeanne Swain, an accountant, is accused of bilking an elderly Delaware County woman out of more than $100,000.

The release said Jeanne Swain, 58, of Yardley, wrote $116,667.33 in unauthorized checks to cover her own rent expenses and pay for her ex-husband’s rent and medical insurance as she maintained a gambling habit that cost her nearly $300,000 over a five-year period.

An investigation by Det. Edward Kazlo of the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Senior Exploitation Unit began after he was notified by Linda Mill, investigations manager for Temple University’s Institute on Protective Services, of a possible theft of funds from the bank accounts of Elizabeth Webb, a resident of Granite Farms Assisted Living in Middletown Township.

Investigators learned that for 22 years Webb had used Swain as her accountant and that that numerous checks from Webb’s Susquehanna bank account written to Swain and other individuals seemed suspicious.

Numerous checks were written to cover Swain’s $1,700 monthly rent, as well as her business rent, and her ex-husband’s rent and health insurance. It was also discovered that Swain used Webb’s account to pay for her own state and federal taxes.

As the result of a search warrant on Swain’s accounts, investigators found various checks had been written to Parx Casino located in Bensalem. Further review of Swain’s accounts and player’s card revealed that she had lost a total of $292,072.53 in gambling activities over a five-year period.

“I want to commend Det. Edward Kazlo as well as Temple University’s Institute on Protective Services who work diligently to protect our elderly residents and bring justice for their families,” Whelan said in the release. “Our seniors deserve to enjoy their retirement without the fear of being victimized.

Any area residents who suspect they or a loved one been a victimized by Swain is asked to contact Kazlo at 610-891-3974.

Swain was arraigned and was released on $250,000 unsecured bail with the condition of home monitoring. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, the release said.