Grandson as Guardian Misappropriates Grandfather’s Estate and Pays with Time in Federal Prison

Michael Ostrowski, a 42-year-old from New York, was appointed as temporary guardian for his grandfather who has dementia. While serving as guardian, he misappropriated over $300,000 and lied to the probate court and insurance programs for elderly residents. He liquidated one of his grandfather’s bank accounts that was worth over $250,000, and did not file a 2006 federal income tax return.

The IRS’s criminal investigations division led the investigation with the help of state police. In January, Ostrowski plead guilty to mail fraud, conspiracy, interstate transportation of stolen property, and other charges in a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office. He will now serve two years in federal prison for his crimes against his grandfather. He will also serve three years of supervised release, pay over $185,000 in restitution, and forfeit $175,500 in cash that he stole from his grandfather’s estate.

See Jack Flynn, Grandson Gets 2-year Sentence for Plundering Dementia-Stricken Grandfather’s Greenfield Estate, Masslive.com, Apr. 26, 2012.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.