An Arma woman pleaded guilty this week to charges of financially exploiting an elderly woman in her care.
Attorney General Steve Six announced Wednesday that Ernestine Anselmi, 73, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of mistreatment of a dependent adult, a level six person felony. Anselmi, and her late husband Ernest Anselmi, were charged in September 2008 with making unauthorized payments to herself from the checking account of 97-year-old Lena Zanichelli totaling nearly $1 million. Anselmi intentionally used undue influence, coercion, deception or false representation to take unfair advantage of Zanichelli, according to Six’s office. Ernest Anselmi died earlier this year.
Sentencing is set for February 2010. The possible sentence for a level 6 person felony is between 17 and 46 month depending on the defendant's criminal history. In this case, it is likely presumptive probation because Anselmi has “little to no” criminal history, according to Six’s office. Court documents state that is additional criminal history is discovered before sentencing, it can be used to increase the sentence.
"Since taking office, I have made it a priority to crack down on financial abuse of the elderly and of dependent adults," Six said in a statement. "My office, with assistance from SRS and law enforcement, is aggressively pursuing those people who take advantage of vulnerable Kansans."
As part of Anselmi’s plea agreement, she is required to transfer various property — such as multiple vehicles, homes, furniture and land — or the cash equivalent to Zanicehelli’s estate. According to court documents, the state “would agree not to request jail time” if Anselmi agreed to turn over the requested properties.
The requested properties include:
- Ford Crown Victoria.
- Home belonging to Larry and Penny VanBecelaere or cash in the amount of $87,569.
- Furniture in Lynsay Arkeketa's home.
- Home and land purchased by Anselmi from Modern Home Center for Arkeketa.
- Jeeps purchased for Miranda Anselmi and Elizabeth Harryman.
- Cash or property for Cathy Anselmi's mortgage payoff in amount of $14,802.
- Vehicle belonging to Cathy Anselmi or cash equivalent for the loan that was paid off in the amount of $16,508.
- Truck purchased from Carpino Ford in June 2008 for $11,727.
- 13 lots in the Abbott Coal Company subdivision in Crawford County.
- The cash amount of Ernestine Anselmi's bond for her release.
To view the official plea documents, click here.
