Elder Law Attorneys Bay County Fla

Man convicted in scheme bilking victims of $1.3 million

Clifford Bagnall's victims, who ranged in age from 62 to 96, gave the man and his co-defendants $10,000 to $150,000, some believing they were buying interest in a New Jersey insurance company.

The money actually was used for writing checks to individuals and other companies and for offshore real estate ventures.

Bagnall was convicted on one count of securities fraud, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, 12 counts of sale of an unregistered security and 12 counts of the sale of a security by an unlicensed dealer, all third-degree felonies.

His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 19.

Co-defendants Keith Byington, Fred Howard and Gerald Gonzalez pleaded guilty on related charges.

The investigation was done by the Florida Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Office of Financial Regulation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center.

Investigators said that from September 2004 through August 2005, the men worked at BBG Investments and BBG Risk Management selling 24-month promissory notes. "BBG" is formed from the first letters of the last names of Bagnall, Byington and Gonzalez.

The investments were primarily marketed through First Liberty Group, an entity that had an office on Fruitville Road and was controlled by Byington.

Bagnall worked there as the chief financial officer and Howard as a sales agent.

Investigators say many elderly investors were persuaded to liquidate annuities on the false promise of a guaranteed investment yielding 7 percent annual interest.

They were allegedly told that "100 percent of your money goes to work for you" when in fact funds were diverted to personal use, consulting fees, salaries paid to the defendants and sales agent commissions, according to the arrest warrant.

Elderly Law Care

Florida Elder Law Attorney

As our State's population ages, more families will want to have a clear understanding of Florida Elder Law.  This area of the law deals with the complicated legal issues common to the elderly and their families. Florida Elder Law Attorneys work to protect the rights of senior citizens and their children. At Mortellaro and Sindadinos we assist families with legal planning for all aspects of life of the elderly and their family. This legal area may include Nursing home care and contracts with nursing homes and other types of long term care facilities.  Our law firm reviews health insurance and Florida Medicaid eligibility. Other areas important to Florida Elder Law are wills and trust, Guardianship, Estate Planning and Florida Probate.

Long term Care

Seniors at some point usually need help from others to conduct their daily affairs.  At first it may simply take the form of advice and gradually may evolve to the point that a full time care taker is needed. One of the first concerns of seniors as they face advancing age is "what will happen if I get sick?"  By planning for the eventuality of long term care, seniors are able to have the best care available, preserve their assets and avoid unnecessary legal issues.

Most long term care is provided at home by a spouse or other family member.  This traditional arrangement is more challenging today for children of the elderly as both husband's and wife's are usually in the workplace.  A paid care giver may also be brought into the home to provide care for the elderly.  An unwanted result of these circumstances is that a family member or care giver may be in a position to use undue influence on a senior to their detriment and the detriment of family members causing the senior to make decisions that would harm themselves their assets, estate and their family.  When a Florida Elder Law attorney is there to help with long term care planning the chance of this occurring is greatly reduced.

It is important to plan ahead for the changes that naturally take place as people face the challenges of advancing age. Mortellaro and Sindadinos are experienced Florida Elder Law attorneys in Tampa serving the Tampa Bay cities of Clearwater, St Pete, New Port Richey, Bradenton and Sarasota. 

There are many requirements to qualify for Medicaid and nursing home care.  Some individuals may require the knowledge of a Florida Elder Law attorney to guild the children of seniors in Florida to a full understand of these requirements so that the parent is able to best benefit and qualify for the long term care they need. Mortellaro and Sindadinos can assist with Florida Medicaid nursing home planning, Home health care Medicaid planning, assisted living facility contracts and even the preparation of Medicaid applications.

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