‘Bricks of cash’ in suitcases. Woman charged with stealing millions from elderly Fresno man
The granddaughter of a Fresno man who allegedly was defrauded out of more than $5 million is grateful the Fresno County District Attorney’s office has finally arrested the alleged thief who stole her grandfather’s life savings.
Heidi Plowman said her grandfather David Silnitzer is the victim of an elaborate scheme carried out by Christina Alvarado of Farmersville. The 50-year-old Alvarado was arrested Tuesday by a DA investigator and charged with four felonies, including theft from an elder or dependent adult, identity theft, felony forgery and a white collar crime enhancement for committing a crime in excess of $500,000.
Alvarado remains in Fresno County jail with bail set at $1 million. She is expected to be arraigned Thursday on the elder abuse charges. If convicted she could spend nine years and eight months in prison.
“I am thrilled to know she finally got arrested,” said Plowman, who lives in Idaho. “It is horrible what she did to my grandpa.”
First they met, then power of attorney
Plowman said Silnitzer, 75, was living alone in 2015 when his wife Virginia passed away. About a year later, Silnitzer and Alvarado became friends. They met by chance at a 7-Eleven where he would walk every morning to buy his morning newspaper.
It didn’t take long for Alvarado to realize Silnitzer was wealthy, Plowman said. Although they lived a modest life, Silnitzer, a former probation officer, and his wife diligently invested for decades in stocks of major companies like Pfizer and Lockheed Martin. They also invested in securities and real estate. Court records show Silnitzer’s net worth exceeded $6 million.
Charmed by Alvarado’s kindness, Silnitzer allowed her to move into his Fig Garden home in early 2016, court records show.
“I remember talking to Grandpa on the phone and he told me he met this lady who had a house around the corner and she has been coming over and cooking for him,” Plowman said. “I even talked to her once and she told me how my grandpa was such a wonderful man. Then I find out she is my age.”
About two years later, Alvarado and another woman, Brenda L. Denning, were able to convince Silnitzer to allow her legal access to his finances through a Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Management. Denning has not been arrested in connection to this case and no charges have been filed against her.
Authorities allege that Silnitzer has severe dementia and was unable to understand what has happening to his money.
Accounts allegedly drained
Court records show Alvarado began to quickly drain Silnitzer of his money through bank withdrawals, selling stock and cashing checks.
From Aug. 1, 2016 to Sept. 12, 2016, more than $83,000 was withdrawn from Silnitzer’s account at Bank of America with many of the withdrawals coming from non-Bank of America ATMs, including many located in casinos.
As Bank of America officials raised red flags about the account activity, Alvarado moved on to a different bank. She opened an account at Chase Bank with a cashier’s check for $909,246.73. The check was from BBVA Compass Bank and was made payable to Silnitzer and Alvarado, according to court documents.
Once the banks became suspicious and closed down her accounts, Alvarado turned to check cashing companies, which racked up more than a $100,000 in fees from the transaction.
The Fresno County Public Guardian became the conservator of Silnitzer’s estate last year after the Fresno District Attorney’s Office began investigating Alvarado for possible elder abuse.
The public guardian’s office also filed a lawsuit against two local check cashing companies for unfair business practices, financial elder abuse and negligence. The lawsuit alleges the owners of the companies should have reported the unusual activity.
Approximately $2.2 million in checks, dividends and stocks were cashed from Nov. 21 through July 25, 2018. Many of the transactions exceeded $25,000.
“Alvarado would roll in suitcases to carry the bricks of cash out of the business and Silnitzer would not participate in the transaction and instead would stand in a corner,” the lawsuit states.
Victim’s dementia worsening
Plowman said she talks to her grandfather as often as she can, but his dementia is worsening. Unable to live on his own, he is in a nursing home in Fresno.
“It seems like every time we talk he thinks I am on my way to pick him up,” she said.
If there is a saving grace, it may be that her grandfather probably doesn’t realize how much money he lost. Plowman said her grandmother, who did not work outside of the home, handled the family’s finances.
“He doesn’t realize the gravity of it all, and if he did it would just upset him,” she said.
How to get help
California Adult Protective Services: To report abuse, call 833-401-0832 and when prompted, enter your five-digit ZIP code to be connected to the Adult Protective Services in your county, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
If you want to report elder abuse or dependent adult abuse in the community, contact your local county APS Office. Abuse reports may also be made to your local law enforcement agency.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman: The toll-free 24-hour crisis line is 800-231-4024.
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 5:29 AM.
