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Blumenthal Introduces Bill, Vows To Crack Down On Elder Abuse

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — In a visit to Bridgeport on Thursday, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) vowed to crack down on elder abuse with the unveiling of his bill named for a late Connecticut veteran who was defrauded by his son.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduces his elder abuse prevention bill at an event Thursday.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduces his elder abuse prevention bill at an event Thursday.

Photo Credit: Jay Polansky
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch introduces U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) at the unveiling of an elder abuse prevention bill Thursday.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch introduces U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) at the unveiling of an elder abuse prevention bill Thursday.

Photo Credit: Jay Polansky

“He was a hero,” Blumenthal said during an event at the Eisenhower Senior Center. “Unfortunately, his son betrayed him.” 

The Robert Matava Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2015 is named after for a Unionville veteran and Purple Heart recipient who was turned out of his own home by his son, whom Matava had entrusted with his assets. Matava died in 2011 at the age of 90. 

Matava’s daughter, Mary-Jo Matava, was present at the Bridgeport event in support of the bill.

“There’s an old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words,” Blumenthal told the crowd of seniors gathered to hear him speak. “Her being her today is worth a thousand words.”

Blumenthal’s bill would enable states and other qualified entities to hold offenders accountable, enhance the capacity of the justice system to pursue elder abuse cases and assure data collection on elder abuse cases.

Only about a third of elder abuse cases are ever reported, he said.

Blumenthal urged the audience of seniors not to fault themselves if they are ever victimized and to come forward to help others. 

“We’re all embarrassed when we become victims,” Blumenthal said. “We blame it on ourselves.”

During the event, several seniors asked questions and offered comments. One attendee said she was nearly defrauded by a fellow senior, who approached her on her front lawn.

She said the con artist was wearing a police insignia on her belt and asked to go to the bank with her.

Blumenthal told the speaker that “sometimes seniors can try to trick other seniors.”

He also said that the IRS doesn’t call and ask them to divulge personal information, nor does a bank ask to confirm your Social Security number over the phone.

Officials at the event urged seniors with any elder abuse concerns to call Community Choices at 800-994-9422.

Mayor Bill Finch introduced Blumenthal at the event. Finch said seniors need to be constantly aware of elder abuse and legislators need to take action to prevent it.

“It can happen if we don’t have our eyes and ears open,” Finch said. “We have to crack down on the scourge of elder abuse.” 

The bill can be viewed here.

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