(Juneau) - HB 399, a bill to create an office to investigate cases of elder abuse has passed the House State Affairs Committee. HB 399, sponsored by Representative Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski), would give a division within the Office of Public Advocacy the authority to investigate and turn over for prosecution cases which fall under existing fraud statutes.

"It is essential that the State of Alaska address the growing problem of senior abuse and creating an office to investigate and address the issue is a great first step," said Representative Chenault. "We cannot allow the fleecing and defrauding of one of our most vulnerable populations to continue."

"Since the first hearing on this bill my office has received many calls revealing financially fraudulent scams including one involving a Canadian Lottery. We have had contact with people who may have been defrauded in other states; we expect to cooperate with other states to find people who have taken property."

Representative Chenault continued, "Even more surprising my staff spoke to one of the scammers criticizing the bill for protecting senior citizens. He claimed that we could never protect everyone from being cheated. My staff sent a clear unmistakable message to this man, while it might take a very few months we are serving notice: Alaska senior citizens are not on your scam list anymore, so move on. You know who you are and we are going to stop you from defrauding seniors out of their money, rent or property. Period."

The Office of Public Advocacy is already investigating a recent senior abuse case on the Peninsula. HB 399 moves on to the House Finance Committee.

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