Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Economic Crimes Unit

Peter Anthony Maselli (Suspect-Arrested)
DOB:  07/23/1971
Address:  3697 Chatham Drive, Palm Harbor
Charges:  One count of Exploitation of an Elderly Person

What:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested a Palm Harbor man for Exploitation of an 82-year-old elderly person.

When:                                                        

The suspect was arrested at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 11, 2017.

The exploitation occurred between July of 2014 and January of 2015.

Where:
The victim resided in New York State, then was moved to Palm Harbor, Florida. The suspect resided in Palm Harbor when the exploitation occurred.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested a Palm Harbor man for Exploitation of an 82-year-old elderly person.

According to detectives, the investigation began in November 2015, when a local bank became suspicious of a large number of deposits and transfers involving an elderly male.  The victim at the time was residing in a memory care unit of an assisted living facility in New York.  The suspect 45-year-old Peter Maselli was in Palm Harbor opening multiple accounts and depositing high dollar amount checks from liquidated assets belonging to the 82-year-old victim. 

The suspicious transactions ultimately led to a revocation of Maselli’s Power of Attorney, and the appointment of a legal guardian. 

Through various investigative techniques, detectives were able to determine Maselli used the victim’s funds for his own gain.  A portion of the funds went to purchase two new vehicles, pay off credit card debt, home remodeling, pay off existing loans and a cruise.

The victim sustained a financial loss of $417, 437.59.

On July 11, 2017, at about 1100 a.m., detectives arrested Maselli at the Sheriff’s Office. 

Maselli was charged with one count of Exploitation of an Elderly Person and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

The investigation continues and detectives are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Sheriff’s Office, Detective S. Bingham at 727-582-6786.

See attached booking photograph.