PHILADELPHIA, PA – Carlton Rembert, 70, of Hampton, Virginia, has been sentenced to 66 months in prison for his role in a fraudulent scheme that exploited elderly incapacitated individuals, resulting in losses exceeding $1 million. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky on October 11, 2024, and includes five years of supervised release along with a restitution obligation of $534,335 to the victims, plus a $400 special assessment.
Rembert was part of a scheme that operated from 2012 to 2018, involving his late sister Gloria Byars and other conspirators. Byars, who served as a court-appointed guardian for over 100 incapacitated wards in Pennsylvania, misused her position to drain the life savings of these vulnerable individuals. Together with Rembert and accomplice Alesha Mitchell, she orchestrated a complex operation to misappropriate funds under the guise of legitimate medical expenses.
The investigation revealed that Byars had unrestricted access to her wards’ financial assets, which she exploited by issuing unauthorized checks to companies controlled by Rembert and Mitchell. These fraudulent transactions were disguised as payments to medical service providers, which were actually shell companies.
Rembert played a crucial role in the operation, depositing over $695,000 in stolen funds into various shell company accounts in Virginia. He then withdrew large sums in cash and obtained certified checks to distribute among the conspirators. Despite his claims of providing services to the victims, testimonies from the victims’ families during the trial contradicted his assertions, exposing his deceit.
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero condemned Rembert’s actions, stating, “Rembert and his co-conspirators had no qualms about ripping off these incapacitated victims and living it up on their stolen money.” She emphasized the ongoing commitment to protect vulnerable populations from such exploitation.
FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs echoed this commitment, urging anyone suspecting elder fraud to report it. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer praised the prosecution of one of the first guardianship fraud cases, highlighting the importance of holding fraudsters accountable.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Tiwana Wright and Samuel Dalke led the prosecution.