Attorney General: Senior Care Company Owners Stole $2.7 Million From the Elderly in Atlantic and Cape May Counties

The owner of an in-home senior care company and her sister have been indicted on on first-degree charges of conspiracy and money laundering for allegedly conspiring with a lawyer to steal over $2.7 million from a dozen elderly clients in Atlantic and Cape May counties.

Three other people were indicted and a prominent attorney already pleaded guilty in connection with this case, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said on Tuesday.

The Division of Criminal Justice obtained an 11-count state grand jury indictment on Monday charging these five defendants as follows:

1. Jan Van Holt, 58, of Linwood, owner of “A Better Choice,” a company that offered elderly clients in-home “life care and legal financial planning.” Conspiracy (3 counts: two 1st degree and one 2nd degree), Money Laundering (3 counts: two 1st degree and one 2nd degree), Theft by Deception (3 counts: all 2nd degree) and Official Misconduct (2nd degree).

2. Sondra Steen, 59, of Linwood, Van Holt’s sister, who helped run the company and assisted clients. Conspiracy (3 counts: two 1st degree and one 2nd degree), Money Laundering (3 counts: two 1st degree and one 2nd degree), Theft by Deception (3 counts: all 2nd degree) and Official Misconduct (2nd degree).

3. Susan Hamlett, 56, of Egg Harbor Township, who worked as an aide for company clients. Conspiracy (2nd degree), Money Laundering (2nd degree) and Theft by Deception (2nd degree).

4. William Price, 57, of Linwood, who was a caseworker for Atlantic County Adult Protective Services when Van Holt was a county caseworker. Conspiracy (1st degree), Money Laundering (1st degree), Official Misconduct (2nd degree) and Theft by Deception (2nd degree).

5. Dr. Maria Teresa S. Daclan, 53, of Galloway Township. Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution (3rd degree).

Barbara Lieberman, 63, of Northfield, who specialized in elder law in Atlantic County, pleaded guilty on Nov. 3 to first-degree money laundering.

She faces a recommended sentence of 10 years in state prison, including 3 ½ years of parole ineligibility.

She forfeited $3 million in assets seized from her and her husband, as well as her law license. She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 25.

Van Holt owns “A Better Choice,” a company that purportedly offered seniors “custom designed life care and legal financial planning.”

The defendants allegedly targeted elderly clients with substantial assets who typically did not have any immediate family. They would offer non-medical care and assistance, including financial and legal services.

The defendants allegedly took control of the victims’ finances by forging a power of attorney or obtaining it under false pretenses. The defendants then added their names to the victims’ bank accounts or transferred the victims’ funds into new accounts they controlled.

They would then siphon the money to pay their own expenses.

“Van Holt and Steen insinuated themselves into the lives of their elderly clients by posing as compassionate and trustworthy caregivers, all the while allegedly plotting to steal their life savings,” Hoffman said. “In some cases, these sisters allegedly deprived their vulnerable victims of the ability to live out their final days in comfort and dignity, callously draining away the victims’ funds to pay for their own pets, swimming pool, expensive cars and Florida condo.”

“Con artists frequently target the elderly because of their vulnerability and accumulated assets,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “This is a particularly egregious case of elder fraud because of the way in which Van Holt allegedly used her official position as a caseworker for Adult Protective Services to identify victims to prey upon.”

“These individuals allegedly preyed on vulnerable, elderly victims and betrayed their trust, in order to funnel stolen money into their own greedy pockets,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “This particular case of elder fraud is especially sinister, due to the conspiracy charges against so many defendants, who held such highly respected positions in society.”

The attached images of Jan Van Holt, Sondra Steen, Susan Hamlett, Dr. Maria Teresa S. Declan and William Price were provided by the Attorney General’s Office