Whittaker and Ellsworth, who were found guilty of misappropriating funds, have been sentenced to probation and have been ordered to pay restitution.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has recently brought forth the conviction and sentencing of Frank Whittaker, aged 56, from Kingston, and his daughter Christine Ellsworth, aged 39, from Accord. The duo was found guilty of embezzling a staggering amount of over $230,000 from an elderly and vulnerable victim in Ulster County. Taking advantage of the victim’s trust, they gained control over their finances and shamelessly indulged in personal luxury expenses using the stolen funds.
Whittaker was given a five-year probation sentence and is required to pay restitution, while Ellsworth received a three-year probation period and is not allowed to work with the elderly.
Exploiting Trust for Personal Gain
From July 2021 to August 2022, Whittaker and Ellsworth, who initially helped the 92-year-old victim with household tasks, gained control over her finances. Whittaker became the Power of Attorney (POA) and, together with Ellsworth, redirected funds into their personal account.
During the investigation, authorities discovered that the stolen money was used to purchase a luxurious GMC Sierra pickup truck worth $57,500. In addition to this, the thieves also spent the stolen funds on dining at restaurants, buying jewelry, and gambling at casinos. As part of their efforts, the authorities managed to recover $92,000 of the stolen money.
Legal Consequences
In August 2024, Whittaker and Ellsworth were indicted by a grand jury on charges of felony grand larceny. They ultimately pleaded guilty, with Whittaker admitting to committing Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, which is classified as a Class D felony, while Ellsworth admitted to committing Petit Larceny, categorized as a Class A misdemeanor.
Whittaker is required to repay a total of $192,000 in restitution, which includes the funds that were seized. In addition to that, Ellsworth is prohibited from working with elderly individuals as part of her probation terms.
The New York State Police conducted an investigation into the case, while the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau of the Attorney General’s Office handled the prosecution.
