Fort Lee Caregiver Allegedly Stole $500K From Elderly Person's Bank Account: Prosecutor

FORT LEE, N.J. — A borough man who was supposed to care for a senior citizen instead stole $500,000 from the person and used it for personal expenses, said Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal.

Benjamin K. Yew, 33, had been given power of attorney over a senior citizen's healthcare, $900,000 in an investment account, and the victim's checking account, Grewal said. Yew was supposed to make monthly payments to the senior living facility where the victim lived.

Authorities allege that for eight years, from 2008 to 2016, Yew took $500,000 from the victim's account and used it for personal expenses, Grewal said. Yew allegedly transferred the money online and by withdrawing cash from ATMs and then depositing it, authorities said. When the money in the investment account was used up, it was insufficient to pay for the elderly man's housing.

Members of the prosecutor's office White Collar Crimes Unit received a complaint regarding suspected theft of the money by Yew, the prosecutor said.

A warrant was issued for Yew's arrest Thursday and authorities arrested him at his Myrtle Avenue home Friday, Grewal said.

Yew, a preschool teacher, was charged with computer related theft in excess of $250,000, theft by deception in excess of $75,000, and abandonment/neglect of an elderly person, Grewal said.

Yew was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail with no 10 percent option. He is due to appear in Bergen County Central Processing Court Aug. 10, officials said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Benjamin K. Yew, 33 — Bergen County Prosecutor's Office