He exploited the man of more than $400,000, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

PALM HARBOR – A Palm Harbor man is facing accusations that he exploited more than $417,000 from an 82-year-old man, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

Peter Anthony Maselli, 45, of Palm Harbor, was arrested Tuesday (July 11) and charged with one count of exploitation of an elderly person.

The investigation began in November 2015 when a local bank became suspicious of a large number of deposits and transfers involving an elderly man. At the time, the man was living in the memory care unit of an assisted living facility in New York. Deputies said Maselli was in Palm Harbor opening multiple accounts and depositing high dollar amount checks from liquidated assets belonging to the 82-year-old man.

The suspicious transactions ultimately led to a revocation of Maselli’s power of attorney and the appointment of a legal guardian, deputies said.

Maselli used the man’s funds for his own gain. Maselli used a portion of the funds to buy two new vehicles, pay off credit card debt, pay for home remodeling, pay off existing loans and take a cruise, deputies said. The elderly man sustained a financial loss of $417, 437.59.

The investigation continues and detectives are asking anyone with additional information to contact Detective S. Bingham at the Sheriff’s Office, (727) 582-6786.

For information about the Pinellas sheriff, go to pcsoweb.com.

Pinellas County Sheriff | Crime | Arrests | Elderly Exploitation | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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