And I said, “What did I do?”
The sheriff deputy came in and said I supposedly attacked Elizabeth.
(MUSIC SEGUE)
[00:00:18] Bob: Welcome back to The Perfect Scam.
I’m your host, Bob Sullivan.
After submitting a 72-page brief to the court, Mara got Steve’s charges dropped.
We pick up the story just as Steve is trying to figure out what to do next.
His money is gone, his homes are gone.
How does he disentangle his life with the Avilas and get justice?
But first, he just needs a place to go.
His public defender helps with that.
He has no home.
[00:02:09] Mara Fregoso: You’d be…, you’d be surprised.
It’s not the first time.
And that’s when lawyer Brent Smith gets involved.
And so, we learned all the history.
Um, he did file it on his own.
[00:04:18] Brent Smith: Yes, I found it rather maddening which is why I mentioned it.
You know that all occurred because Steve was totally dependent on them.
Elizabeth didn’t pay for it.
When we get to December of 2017, Steve has given Elizabeth Avila control over all of his money.
She has cashed out the annuity and written checks to herself and her family members.
[00:06:38] Bob: Brent has plenty of experience dealing with acrimonious caregiver situations.
But in Steve Steele situation, there’s something different; there’s a chance to recover real property.
But that’s not the only legal peril faced by Elizabeth Avila.
Pedro Avila was not charged with any crime.
Um, and I tend to believe Steve on that.
I think that that was, that was true.
That was the level of control that Elizabeth had.
[00:09:06] Brent Smith: The $127,000, that was what was relatively easily proven.
[00:09:46] Bob: The criminal case drags on for a year.
But in July 2020, Elizabeth pleads guilty to four counts of criminal mistreatment.
She was sentenced to 10 days in jail, 5 years probation, and $56,000 restitution.
Getting that money is another story.
[00:10:05] Brent Smith: Um, uh, enfor–, judgement enforcement efforts are ongoing.
[00:10:26] Bob: The entire episode took years away from Steve Steele.
It’s a hard story to tell.
[00:10:54] Bob: For Mara, it just showed how tough a spot Steve was in.
[00:11:13] Mara Fregoso: Uh, if you see something, say something, you know.
Um, it’s, it’s kind of in those terms.
You’ve got to express the concern, and do your best to be listened to.
[00:12:58] Bob: Paul Greenwood has seen hundreds of cases like Steve’s.
Unfortunately, caregiver situations that might sound normal, even healthy at first, can go sideways fast.
[00:13:19] Paul Greenwood: Well, it happens a lot.
It is a common, unfortunately, um, event.
What should they look for?
I mean because of confidentiality.
So theres a certain protection of identity when you make that call.
[00:16:04] Bob: Those calls are hard to make, right?
Well why would someone hesitate do you think to do that?
Um, we all have a civic duty to look out for our less fortunate neighbors.
[00:17:02] Bob: Paul thought the system really let Steve down too.
And I would go, hold on.
You are great at uh doing certain things.
There is no dangerous weapon.
But in fact, the criminals might use the most dangerous weapon of all.
Because didnt she hand it over to him voluntarily?
And there would be this sometimes misconception about what true consent really is.
Because this scenario, I can guarantee is happening right now somewhere else in the United States.
[00:20:08] Bob: And here’s another critical point from our friends at AARP.
That middle part is Alpha, Charlie, Lima.
So eldercare.acl.gov, or call 1-800-677-1116.
[00:21:18] Mara Fregoso: Very, very angry.
I didn’t have to.
I did it ‘cause I was angry.
‘Cause I, I was disgusted.
And if Steve hadn’t continued to fight for his rights.
And the abuse never comes to light.
And so, um, I’m happy that Elizabeth Avila was convicted of a crime.
I’m happy that there was a clear court record.
[00:22:40] Bob: In fact, Brent thinks Steve probably wouldn’t have made it without Mara.
[00:22:50] Mara Fregoso: Um, I did hear that.
I, I don’t know if I did, honestly.
Um, but yeah.
[00:23:05] Mara Fregoso: I do.
Um, I always wonder too, you know, what’s going on with Mr. Steele.
[00:23:11] Bob: What’s going on with Mr. Steele now?
He has a little bit of care.
I’m sure that really stings.
[00:25:27] Steve Steele: Oh yes, I, I’m doing great.
I’ve got wonderful friends.
They’re so good to me.
The best friends I ever had, them and Brent Smith.
He, he’s been wonderful to me as well.
I’m really grateful to everyone.
That just seems like a terrible irony.
Do you ever think about that?
Didn’t dwell on, on the good I did for other people.
I, I felt it was our duty as fellow humans to help one another.
I, I don’t think I lost anything during all that time I took care of people.
I have wonderful memories and wonderful people that I took care of.
That just seems unfair to me.
Don’t put your uh, life in the hands of somebody that’s going to abuse you.
There’s too many people out there ready to help you do the wrong thing.
Call the AARP Fraud Watch data pipe Helpline at 877-908-3360.
Their trained fraud specialists can provide you with free support and guidance on what to do next.
Be sure to find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
For AARP’s The Perfect Scam, I’m Bob Sullivan.
Thats where Steves attorney, Brent Smith, comes in, waging what becomes a nearly two-year battle.
