BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 35-year-old Buffalo man is accused of stealing more than $176,000 from an elderly family member.
Jamire Y. Barber was indicted before a State Supreme court justice on Tuesday for one count of Grand Larceny in the second degree.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office says the incident first began in January of 2022 when the elderly man was hospitalized following a fire in his home.
Barber, who investigators say is a family member to the elderly man, was made the person of contact for the elderly man's homeowner's insurance claim.
Barber had allegedly received a check for the insurance claim on April 13, 2022, which was made payable to his elderly relative for $176,410.10. Barber is accused of depositing that check into his own personal checking account.
Through cash withdrawals, Barber allegedly stole a majority of the insurance claim money, using it to make purchases for designer clothes, jewelry, vehicles, and sports gambling, investigators say.
The Erie County Adult Protective Services Unit says Barber did not support his elderly relative with medical or housing needs.
Barber is expected to return to court on May 28, and until then will be held without bail.
Along with the Erie County Adult Protective Services unit they were assisted in the investigation by the Center for Elder Law & Justice, U.S. Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the New York State Police.
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