(WNY News Now) – Whittaker and Ellsworth Spent Stolen Funds on Luxury Purchases, Now Sentenced to Probation and Ordered to Pay Restitution
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the conviction and sentencing of Frank Whittaker, 56, of Kingston, and his daughter Christine Ellsworth, 39, of Accord, for stealing over $230,000 from a vulnerable elderly victim in Ulster County. The pair exploited the victim’s trust, gained financial control, and used the stolen funds for personal luxury expenses.
Whittaker was sentenced to five years’ probation and must pay restitution, while Ellsworth received three years’ probation and is prohibited from working with the elderly.
Exploiting Trust for Personal Gain
Between July 2021 and August 2022, Whittaker and Ellsworth, who initially provided household assistance to the 92-year-old victim, obtained access to her finances. Whittaker had himself named as Power of Attorney (POA) and, alongside Ellsworth, diverted funds into a personal account.
Investigators found that the stolen money funded a $57,500 GMC Sierra pickup, along with expenditures at restaurants, jewelry stores, and casinos. Authorities recovered $92,000 of the stolen funds during the investigation.
Legal Consequences
In August 2024, a grand jury indicted Whittaker and Ellsworth on felony grand larceny charges. They later pleaded guilty—Whittaker to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a Class D felony) and Ellsworth to Petit Larceny (a Class A misdemeanor).
Whittaker must repay $192,000 in restitution, including the seized funds. Ellsworth’s probation terms prohibit her from working with elderly individuals.
The case was investigated by the New York State Police and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau.
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