Our Buena Park theft criminal defense lawyers took note of a recent article announcing charges against a man who allegedly exploited an elderly woman with dementia. Adam Michael Margaros, 30, is accused of installing a $25,000 security system in the home of a 74-year-old woman, then charging her more than $320,000. According to a Sept. 9 article from the OC Weekly, prosecutors say it should have been obvious to Margaros that the unnamed woman suffered from paranoia and early-stage dementia or Alzheimer's disease. He was arrested that week and pleaded not guilty to charges of elder abuse and grand theft, with a sentence enhancement for a theft of more than $200,000.
Margaros owns two businesses, including a closed-circuit television installing business, and is a member of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce. He was originally recommended by another security business to install a security system worth about $1,800. However, the Orange County Register wrote, Margaros allegedly befriended the woman and used her paranoia and dementia to convince her to spring for multiple upgrades. The victim's adult son told the Register that Margaros had said the government had installed secret listening devices in her home. The son also said that his mother is functional but clearly paranoid, with an imagination that carries her away easily. Margaros ended up installing a keyless entry system and a 20-camera system connected to monitors inside the home, allegedly worth about a seventh of the price he charged.
Our Huntington Beach theft criminal defense attorneys were interested in this case because it seems to be a crime solely because of the woman's diminished mental capacity. Overcharging a mentally competent adult is not a crime under most circumstances. Nor is "upselling" -- suggesting buying something that's more expensive. These are realities of capitalism, and some people might argue that they are smart business moves. For that reason, we believe that Margaros could have a case if he can show that he reasonably believed the woman to be mentally competent. Judging by the articles, the woman does not have an active diagnosis of any mental illness and her family hasn't seen fit to move her into some place where they can keep an eye on her. If the other circumstances are right, Margaros may be able to argue that it was not at all obvious that the woman suffered from mental illness.
Based in Anaheim, Howard Law, P.C. represents clients throughout California who are charged with theft crimes. Those crimes include direct robbery and theft, but also fraud, shoplifting, embezzlement, burglary and more. Theft crimes do not typically carry long prison sentences when the amount stolen was relatively low and the theft was not violent. However, having a theft conviction on your record can make it very difficult to find a job, even when the conviction is years in the past. Our Wildomar theft criminal defense lawyers work hard to keep those convictions off our clients' records, by fighting unfair and inappropriate charges. When the circumstances are right, we can negotiate for lowered charges or dropped charges in exchange for repayment of the stolen goods. We will also negotiate to reduce felonies to misdemeanors whenever possible. And of course, if we need to go to court, we will mount a vigorous defense using the facts and the physical evidence.
If you are accused of extortion, fraud, identity theft or other theft crimes, Howard Law, P.C. can help. To learn more about your legal options and rights, call us today at 1-800-872-5925 or send us a message online.
