FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Tuesday, February 20, 2018 

CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215 

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Sandra Lee Pazen, 62, Fort Collins, CO, and Paul Damon Pazen, 63, Fort Collins, CO, have been indicted by a Butte County grand jury on charges of financial elder abuse.

“This case demonstrates the importance and need for the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Unit and its work in protecting our seniors and nursing home residents from financial exploitation,” said Jackley.

Sandra Pazen faces one count of theft by exploitation with a value between $5,000.00 and $100,000.00, class 4 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in the state penitentiary and/or $20,000 fine. 

Paul Pazen faces one count of receiving stolen property with a value of between $5,000.00 and $100,000, class 4 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in the state penitentiary and/or $20,000 fine, and one count of Grand Theft, Class 5 Felony, punishable by up to 5 years in the state penitentiary and/or $$10,000 fine, and one count of Grand Theft, class 6 felony, punishable by up to 2 years in the state penitentiary and/or $4,000 fine.

The charge against Sandra Pazen alleges that the defendant took funds from an elder in an amount within the statutory limits. The charges against Paul Pazen allege that he received and took funds from an individual within the statutory limits.

Both Sandra Pazen and Paul Pazen are presumed innocent until such time as proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by the Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation Subdivision within the Attorney General’s Office and was investigated by the Division of Criminal Investigation. 

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