Judge Refuses To Lower Bail For Bucks Man Charged With Elder Ripoffs
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A Montgomery County judge has refused to reduce bail for a Bucks County, Pa. man accused of operating what prosecutors call an "elaborate" financial fraud scheme that targeted senior citizens across Pennsylvania.
Ross Rabelow of Southampton, Pa. is one of four Philadelphia area men facing a host of charges related to the alleged scheme (see previous story). He is being held in lieu of $1 million cash bail, an amount his attorney was hoping to convince Judge Steven O'Neill to reduce.
But Pennsylvania senior deputy attorney general Eric Schoenberg, who notes that Rabelow is charged with ripping off more than 200 elderly people, says he is pleased with the judge's ruling.
"This defendant is facing a very long jail sentence," Schoenberg told KYW Newsradio today. "We believe and that in itself creates a substantial risk of flight."
Schoenberg is also concerned that Rabelow, if freed, would continue his illegal conduct.
Prosecutors contend the four defendants deceived the seniors into spending thousands of dollars for "home care" or "home security" services but rarely or never supplied those services.
Arguing for lower bail, Rabelow's attorney said his client shouldn't be lumped in with the other defendants.
Read the KYW Regional Affairs Council series, "Senior Scams."
