Trio Charged with Bilking Elderly Woman

PenelopeVeronikis, 51, daughter Barbara Paxos, 28, and former Emmaus Diner ownerHristos “Chris” Dimou, 51, allegedly stole over $260,000 from 90-year-oldEmmaus woman Queen E. Hersch.  Afterlearning virtually everything she owned had been stolen from her, Hersch diedof a “broken heart.”

Veronikisallegedly changed Hersh’s will, making herself sole beneficiary, maxed out twocredit cards in Hersh’s name, sold Hersh’s Poconos vacation home for $170,000,and cashed Hersh’s Social Security checks. Veronikis allegedly gave $135,000 to her daughter, bought then-boyfriendDimou a 1974 muscle car, and used some of the money on plastic surgery, creditcard payments, and department store trips.

Veronikisclaims she developed a mother-daughter relationship with Hersh after taking careof her and that she had Hersh’s permission for all of these actions.

See Kevin Amerman, TrialBegins for Trio Charged with Bilking Elderly Emmaus Woman, The MorningCall, Oct. 9, 2013.