Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) announced the arrest of Emily Royster for exploiting an elderly and disabled adult. The investigation revealed that Royster siphoned more than $14,000 from an elderly victim’s bank account over a seven-month period. Royster allegedly transferred funds for personal use with the intent to deprive the victim of the use or benefits of the funds, including making nursing home payments. Acting on a complaint received from the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Adult Protective Services, MFCU began investigating Royster after the victim’s nursing home bill went unpaid and the victim’s bank account lacked funds to pay bills. Royster allegedly removed money from the victim’s account using the mobile application Zelle. Zelle is a mobile app that allows individuals to easily transfer money to others. The investigation revealed that Royster withdrew the money from the victim’s account multiple times for personal use, including Airbnb stays in Georgia and Massachusetts. To read the redacted affidavit, click here.
