A Missouri couple has been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly veteran, accused of withdrawing funds and selling his home without his knowledge, according to court documents.An affidavit alleges that Christina Scanlon and her husband, Devlin Scanlon, withdrew more than $31,259 from the victim’s Versailles Bank account between 2018 and 2023.Devlin Scanlon confirmed to KMBC 9 Investigates on Wednesday the person is a relative. KMBC is not identifying that person’s relationship to Scanlon since he is identified as a confidential victim in court documents.Scanlon said he did nothing malicious and has cooperated with investigators. He said he sold the house because he drove to and from the Lake of the Ozarks too often. He also said he spent money on his relative.“I’m actually very sad,” he said. The court documents state that the victim, a resident of a veteran’s home in Warrensburg, unknowingly signed a warranty deed in 2020, transferring ownership of his Climax Springs property to the Scanlons.In 2021, Devlin Scanlon allegedly sold the home for $132,175, with the victim unaware of the transaction and not receiving any proceeds, according to the affidavit.The investigator wrote that the victim, who has hearing impairments and dyslexia, told authorities he never approved the withdrawals or the property transfer.The affidavit also states that Christina Scanlon admitted to depositing the proceeds from the home sale into her bank account, saying the victim wanted his account balance kept low.KMBC asked elder law attorney Samantha Shepherd for advice on dealing with family finances especially with older relatives. She said it’s vital to keep records and establish a trust.“It’s a little bit of an encumbrance to people, but that’s the point,” she said. “You can’t just walk into the bank and grab it.”She also said it’s important to maintain transparency among family members. “Keep records to protect yourself if you’re going to step in,” she said. “And that’s if you can’t afford a structure like a trust that would at least have a higher standard.”For more resources on elder law questions, click here.
A Missouri couple has been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly veteran, accused of withdrawing funds and selling his home without his knowledge, according to court documents.
An affidavit alleges that Christina Scanlon and her husband, Devlin Scanlon, withdrew more than $31,259 from the victim’s Versailles Bank account between 2018 and 2023.
Devlin Scanlon confirmed to KMBC 9 Investigates on Wednesday the person is a relative. KMBC is not identifying that person’s relationship to Scanlon since he is identified as a confidential victim in court documents.
Scanlon said he did nothing malicious and has cooperated with investigators. He said he sold the house because he drove to and from the Lake of the Ozarks too often. He also said he spent money on his relative.
“I’m actually very sad,” he said.
The court documents state that the victim, a resident of a veteran’s home in Warrensburg, unknowingly signed a warranty deed in 2020, transferring ownership of his Climax Springs property to the Scanlons.
In 2021, Devlin Scanlon allegedly sold the home for $132,175, with the victim unaware of the transaction and not receiving any proceeds, according to the affidavit.
The investigator wrote that the victim, who has hearing impairments and dyslexia, told authorities he never approved the withdrawals or the property transfer.
The affidavit also states that Christina Scanlon admitted to depositing the proceeds from the home sale into her bank account, saying the victim wanted his account balance kept low.
KMBC asked elder law attorney Samantha Shepherd for advice on dealing with family finances especially with older relatives. She said it’s vital to keep records and establish a trust.
“It’s a little bit of an encumbrance to people, but that’s the point,” she said. “You can’t just walk into the bank and grab it.”
She also said it’s important to maintain transparency among family members.
“Keep records to protect yourself if you’re going to step in,” she said. “And that’s if you can’t afford a structure like a trust that would at least have a higher standard.”
For more resources on elder law questions, click here.
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