Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announces the indictment of Thomas U. Gage, age 57, of Newfields, New Hampshire, for the financial exploitation of a 71-year-old woman.

Last week, Gage was indicted in Rockingham County Superior Court on 5 counts of financial exploitation of an elderly, disabled or impaired adult. The indictments allege that Gage, through the use of undue influence, acquired possession or control of 5 credit cards belonging to the alleged victim. The total amount of the alleged exploitation is $87,165. The timeframe of the exploitation spanned between January 2015 and January 2016.

Gage is a former attorney who practiced in Exeter. He was disbarred for unrelated reasons in 2016.

New Hampshire law, RSA 631:9, provides that any person, in the absence of legal authority, who knowingly or recklessly, acquires possession or control of an interest in the property, or other financial resources of an elder, disabled, or impaired adult, through the use of undue influence, harassment, duress, force, compulsion, or coercion, shall be guilty of financial exploitation. For the purpose of this statute, a person is considered "elderly" if they are 60 years of age or older. The maximum penalty for each indictment is 7½ to 15 years in the New Hampshire State Prison and/or a fine of $4,000.

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

The charges and allegation in the indictments are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.