The U.S. Department of Justice has issued its sixth annual report to Congress, detailing efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. During this period, the department pursued over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants accused of stealing nearly $700 million from approximately 225,000 victims.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the department’s commitment to protecting older Americans, stating, “We will continue our pursuit of elder justice in the coming year and will use all our available tools to protect older Americans across the country.”
The report highlights several key initiatives:
- Enforcement Actions: The department disrupted transnational and domestic fraud schemes targeting older adults through romance, lottery, and government impersonation scams. It also held nursing home operators accountable for providing substandard care.
- Victim Support: Services and assistance were provided to over 230,000 older victims, with more than $31 million returned to them.
- Collaboration: The department worked alongside federal partners, such as the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and state partners, including Medicaid Fraud Control Units. International cooperation with foreign law enforcement was also instrumental in combating transnational fraud schemes.
- Training and Grants: Training events, like the first Elder Justice Law Enforcement Summit, were conducted to support state and local partners. Grant programs were established to enhance the effectiveness of elder justice coalitions and multidisciplinary teams.
The report underscores the department’s comprehensive approach to addressing elder justice, involving enforcement, public awareness, capacity building, victim support, and research. It calls for continued collaboration among federal, Tribal, state, and local law enforcement to make meaningful progress in preventing elder abuse. For more information, the full report is available on the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website and annual report to Congress.
