Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announces that Keith Cameron Fitzgerald, 52, was sentenced today by the Belknap County Superior Court to 10 to 30 years in the New Hampshire State Prison for stealing $409,980 from his elderly father, Clifford L. Fitzgerald Jr. Six months of the minimum sentence and 5 years of the maximum sentence were suspended upon the condition that Keith Fitzgerald make a good faith effort to pay full restitution. Keith Fitzgerald also received a further suspended sentence of an additional 10 to 30 years, which the State could seek to impose if he fails to comply with the terms of his sentence upon his release from incarceration.

Attorney General MacDonald said, "The elderly make up one of New Hampshire's largest and most vulnerable populations. This population faces an increasing rate of financial exploitation and abuse and unfortunately 90% of abusers are family members or trusted others. Today's sentence shows that those who take advantage of the elderly—including family members—for their own financial gain will face substantial but just consequences."

An investigation conducted by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office revealed that in the months before his 79 year-old father's death in 2010, Keith Fitzgerald took advantage of the authority conveyed to him in a Power of Attorney to siphon over $800,000 of his father's money into new and secret bank accounts without his father's knowledge or authorization. Some of those accounts were titled to a fake, nonexistent trust, of which Keith Fitzgerald purported to be the sole trustee. In addition, Keith Fitzgerald put some of the money into a bank account in the name of a so-called charity that he had established. From these accounts, Keith Fitzgerald then used the money for his sole benefit including paying down his personal debts and settling a lawsuit. The amount of $409,980 of the stolen money was directly tied to New Hampshire and formed the basis for the State's charges. On March 29, 2017, after a jury trial, Keith Fitzgerald was convicted on all charges. The jury further found that in committing these thefts Keith Fitzgerald intentionally took advantage of his father's impaired ability to manage his own financial resources.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse, please contact your local police department or the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (1-800-949-0470).