(Buford, Georgia)  After dedicating the past several months to an exploitation case, two people have been arrested and charged with victimizing a 64-year old Buford widow.

On November 17, 2016, a Gwinnett County Police Department Special Victims Unit detective was assigned an exploitation of an at-risk adult case.  The complaint was forwarded to GCPD from the Duluth Police Department.  The case was initially reported to Duluth PD by the victim’s bank.  The basis of the case was suspicions that Ana Zaharia (age 34) and her husband, Daniel Zaharia (age 41) may possibly be financially exploitating a 64-year old Buford woman and her late husband’s estate.  The 64-year old woman’s husband was a successful business owner prior to his death.   

A forensic audit was conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Financial Investigations Unit.  After receiving the results of the audit, it appeared as though the Zaharias were diverting significant sums of money (at least a half million dollars) from the victim for their own personal use.  This apparently had been going on for several years. 

The detective said that Ana was the victim’s housekeeper.  Ana arranged her family (husband and children) to move into the victim’s home. 

On July 7, 2017, two detectives visited the victim’s home on Anna Ruby Lane in Buford.  Upon their arrival, they noticed the 64-year old woman on the floor of her bedroom suffering from an apparent fall.  She was quickly taken to a local hospital to be treated.  After she was transported from the home, both suspects were interviewed.

Following their interview with the suspects, the detectives followed up with an interview with the victim at the local hospital.  (Statements made by the suspects and the victim will not be disclosed.)

On July 13, 2017, the detectives, along with Gwinnett Senior Services returned to the residence.  Ana and Daniel were placed under arrest.  They were both charged with:

• Exploitation of an At-Risk Adult (16-5-102)
• Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) (16-14-4)
• Theft by Taking (16-8-2) 
• Records and Reports of Currency (7-1-915)

The victim refused to be placed in an alternate senior home despite numerous attempts made by the detectives and the representative from Gwinnett Senior Services. 

Ana and Daniel were transported to the Gwinnett County Jail on Thursday, July 13.  They have since bonded out.  According to the lead detective, Ana and Daniel have special considerations of bond stating that they are not allowed to have any contact with the victim. 

If you have strong suspicions that your friend, neighbor, or family member is being exploited, call your local police department immediately.  No senior citizen or disabled adult deserves to be manipulated by those they trust the most.  Speak up for them if they can’t.