County financial abuse prevention team celebrates its first year

Solano FAST honors Assemblywoman’s work to prevent elder financial abuse

FAIRFIELD – The Solano Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) commemorated its one year anniversary today with an event featuring speeches by California Deputy Attorney General Keith Lyon and Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), and a ceremony honoring Wolk for her efforts to prevent elder financial abuse.

Solano FAST, founded by the Area Agency on Aging Serving Napa and Solano early last year, works to prevent elder financial abuse through senior outreach and education. The group, which also works with law enforcement and adult protective services to resolve abuse cases, has aided in the successful recovery and protection of approximately $8 million dollars in vulnerable seniors' assets.

“Solano FAST has become a key ally in the fight against senior financial abuse,” said Assemblywoman Wolk. “Financial abuse is the fastest form of elder abuse, yet it often goes unreported. Victims forget things, or fear the consequences of retaliating against a loved one. This is an insidious crime, making critical the early reporting of suspected abuse to agencies such as Solano FAST that help speed the response, hopefully before seniors are fleeced out of their life savings.”

During the celebration, Wolk was presented an award for her legislation to protect seniors from financial abuse. In 2005, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 1018 by Wolk and Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which requires officers and employees of banks, credit unions and other financial institutions to report witnessed or suspected cases of elder financial abuse. Wolk also carried similar legislation during her first term in the State Assembly.

“Lois Wolk has been a champion for protecting our senior citizens,” said Leanne Martinsen, executive director of the Area Agency on Aging Serving Napa and Solano, a private nonprofit. “We are pleased to be able to honor Assemblywoman Wolk for her legislation to expand mandated reporting of elder financial abuse to banks and financial institutions, and we look forward to working together on other important measures in the future.”