Sacramento County’s approach to protecting elderly residents from financial exploitation faces intense scrutiny following a damning grand jury report that reveals over 97% of confirmed elder financial abuse cases have gone unprosecuted. The findings, delivered by the 2024-2025 Sacramento County Grand Jury, have sparked debate about whether local agencies are adequately safeguarding the community’s most vulnerable residents.
According to Davis Vanguard, Sacramento County Adult Protective Services (APS) confirmed nearly 4,000 cases of elder financial abuse between 2019 and 2024. Yet only 123 of those were referred to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, and just 99 resulted in filed charges. “This means over 97% of confirmed elder financial abuse cases have gone unprosecuted,” stated Grand Jury Foreperson Elizabeth TenPas in a press release.
The demographic urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. The 2020 census reported that 16% of Sacramento County residents were 65 or older—a number expected to increase significantly. The Grand Jury noted that by 2026, the county’s population of residents over 65 is projected to exceed that of residents aged 0 to 17.
Devastating Impact on Victims
As detailed by Davis Vanguard, the report found that in more than 72% of elder financial abuse cases, the perpetrator is someone trusted by the victim—such as a caregiver, family member, friend, or financial advisor. “Financial abuse can have devastating consequences for the elderly,” the report states. “The financial losses from this type of abuse, even minor losses, can lead to greater reliance on others for support, including family, friends, or government assistance.”…