A 95-year-old Navy veteran living with Alzheimer’s disease has allegedly been defrauded of more than a quarter of a million dollars by his own granddaughter, according to Montgomery County police.
Authorities say Erica Hopper, 45, misused her power of attorney to drain her grandfather’s savings — funds that came largely from his military pension, Social Security benefits, and the sale of his home.
Court filings allege that between Nov. 2021 and June 2025, Hopper diverted more than $266,000 to finance a lavish lifestyle while her grandfather was left struggling to afford basic care.
Lavish Spending, Unpaid Bills
Charging documents accuse Hopper of spending her grandfather’s money on:
- A 2022 Kia Stinger car purchase
- Designer clothes and accessories
- Elective cosmetic surgery
- Luxury trips to Las Vegas and New Orleans
- Front-row seats at an Usher concert
- Rent payments for a luxury apartment near Union Market in Northeast D.C.
According to NBC 4 Washington, all the while, her grandfather, who had entered assisted living in Silver Spring after the death of his wife of more than 60 years, was reportedly forced out of one facility and transferred twice due to unpaid balances totaling more than $52,000.
In July 2024, Hopper told management at Sunrise Senior Living that her grandfather could no longer afford care. Court records show she continued spending on personal luxuries during the same period.
Family Suspicions Lead to Arrest
Authorities began investigating after another family member grew suspicious and reported Hopper’s handling of her grandfather’s finances. She was later charged with embezzlement, theft, and fraud.
Hopper, who had worked as a finance program analyst for the U.S. House of Representatives, claimed during a civil complaint that her income could account for her spending habits. But charging documents note she was terminated from that position shortly after responding to the allegations.
She was arrested last week and later released on personal bond.
Elder Financial Exploitation in Focus
Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy stated that while he could not discuss the specifics of this case, families should be mindful of the risks when one individual has full control over a vulnerable senior’s finances.
“This is a sad fact: About 90% of money lost in financial scams, you lose to a family member,” McCarthy said.
Advocates say the case underscores a growing concern: as America’s population ages, instances of elder financial exploitation are on the rise.
With more than 230,000 Montgomery County residents expected to be over the age of 65 in the coming years, prosecutors warn that oversight and accountability in family caregiving arrangements are more important than ever.
The investigation into Hopper remains ongoing.
