Hear Their Voices; Share our Resources

Join us at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics on June 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM (Eastern Time) for a meaningful conference focused on protecting New Hampshire's most vulnerable citizens from financial exploitation and abuse. Share the stories of survivors and professionals who work with them to learn innovative strategies to combat this ever evolving problem.

AM Session 1: Cognitive Decline and Financial Decision-Making
This workshop will review how dementia impacts safety, how to recognize signs of money problems, and will review tips for helping to manage financial concerns. Strategies for guarding against financial abuse and fraud will be included, as well as helpful resources.
Presented by: Melissa Grenier, LCSW has two Social Work degrees and has worked in a variety of settings serving people living with memory loss including elder guardianship, long-term care, inpatient geriatric psychiatric care, home and others. She has worked for the Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter, for thirteen years, and is currently the Regional Manager for the State of New Hampshire. Her role includes overseeing the operations of the Bedford, NH, regional office, and providing the Alzheimer's Association's wide range of programs, services and trainings across NH.

AM Session 2: Looking for Love in all the wrong places--NOT

Hear the compelling story of a Romance Scam Survivor. Feel it from the victim's side then grab onto survival with both hands? Follow the scam from teh freind request during the lockdown of COVID, through the gaining of trust, allowing love to blossom, to the requests for moeny and being made to face the reality too heavy to carry. Walk on the path to recovery only to find there is no help, victim blaming is alive and well, and the fallout of haivng no money is a cavernous pit with no place to land.

Presented by: Kate Kleinert, national spokesperson for the AARP Fraud Watch Network. Ms. Kleinert has testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Aging, Presented at Women's Convening at he White House, appeared on the Tamron Hall Show, Good Mroning America, Public Boradcasting Network, ABC, CBS and NBS as well as several resional and local station. She has been interviewd by the NY Times, and is the

AM Session 3: New Hampshire's Data Privacy Act

Scams against the elderly are fueled by rampant sales and sharing of detailed personal data. The New Hampshire Data Privacy Act provides New Hampshire consumers data privacy rights that allow people to access, delete, and correct inaccuracies in their personal data. It also allows consumers to opt out of targeted advertising and data sales. This Act has been actively enforced by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office for over a year. In this presentation, members of the Attorney General’s office will describe the way the Act operates and show consumers how to exercise their rights so they may reduce the amount of data that businesses have about them.

Presented by: Warren Cormack, JP, CIPP/US, CIPM, Assistant Attorney General, Data Privacy Unit, Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, Office of Attorney General

AM Session 4: Investigating and Prosecuting Contractor Fraud

This session will provide a general overview of the scope of contractor-related fraud in New Hampshire, best practices for investigating contractors who engage in fraudulent conduct, and the challenges law enforcement may encounter in investigating and prosecuting such contractors. The session will include a case study of an investigation and prosecution handled by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office of a roofing contractor who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of deposit payments from over 20 victims, and who was later convicted of multiple counts of felony theft.

Presented by: Zach Frish, Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, Office of Attorney General

PM Session 1: Cause the Pause: How NH RSA 383-A:5-5121-a Empowers Financial Institutions

Using a case study and written procedures, this will be an informal workshop that will review the process financial institutions use when they have enacted the statutory hold on financial transactions. Beginning with the background of the case study the presenter will outline what triggered the concern including red flags, branch conversations and customer conversations. We’ll then take a step-by-step approach to the procedure document that I use that outlines communication with the customers and reporting to BAAS and the Banking Department

Presented by: Barbara Graziano, Esq., First Seacoast Bank, a licensed attorney in Commonwealth of Mass, Compliance and BSA Officer at First Seacoast Bank

PM Session 2: Our Bright Light : A multi-agency approach to addressing financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.

This session will focus on ways to partner the individuality and strengths of Adult Protective Services and Law Enforcement to provide subtle forensic interviews with visible compassion, empathy and support ot those affected by financial exploitation, and will highlight the ideas, resources, and tools used to build trust and respect in our work.

Presented by: Lisa Bell, BSBM, MA: is an Investigator for the State of New Hampshire, Adult Protective Services and works in the Southern District Office located in Nashua, NH. Her investigations include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of vulnerable adults and she has established partnerships with law enforcement agencies, medical providers, attorneys, and community partners. Her work reflects a strong commitment to collaboration, safety, and healing to those she works with. She received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix.

In parternship with:

Senior Services Officer Shalyn Spencer, who works for the Salem Police Department where she is dedicated to protecting and supporting the senior population. In this specialized role, Officer Spencer investigates cases involving elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. She also leads community outreach events focused on fraud and scam prevention and awareness. She works closely with older adults, caregivers, and community organizations, fostering strong relationships built on trust and support. Officer Spencer also collaborates with Adult Protective Services, healthcare providers, and families to help ensure the safety and well-being of Salem’s aging population. With eight years of law enforcement experience, Officer Spencer brings both expertise and compassion to her work. Her dedication to supporting the Salem senior community enhances the quality of life for older residents while fostering stronger trust between law enforcement and the community.

Detective Bismark Montano works for the Pelham Police Department as a member of the Criminal Bureau. Detective Montano has a relentless drive for justice, working on complex criminal investigations, including financial crimes, sextortion, elder abuse, and elder exploitation. Detective Montano uses analytical thinking, strong intuition, and meticulous attention to detail to uncover hidden patterns and build strong cases. Detective Montano is committed to protecting vulnerable populations. Detective Montano works tirelessly to hold offenders accountable and ensure victims receive the support and justice they deserve.

Detective Corporal Jaime Huertas is a highly respected member of the Pelham Police Department, known for his dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable members of the community, particularly the senior population. With more than two decades of experience, his work has made a lasting impact both within the agency and across the region.

Detective Huertas has developed a broad skill set with numerous specialized roles. He is a certified D.A.R.E Instructor, R.A.D. Instructor, Motor Officer, Field Training officer, Crime Scene Processor, Hostage Negotiator, Drug Treatment and Prevention Officer, and Crisis Intervention Team member in the State of New Hampshire. He also serves as the department's Elderly Liason Officer, where he plays a vital role in supporting Pelham's aging residents.

PM Session 3: Can I pet that Dog?

The implementation of comfort dogs in community relations, victim interviews, and the overall reduction of stress for victims of crime and their families. Get ready for an informative PowerPoint presentation about Mason, the Portsmouth Police comfort dog's training and uses. Learn about his depoyments and how he has been instrumental in promoting trusting relationships with our community and aging population. And if you are lucky, Mason will let you pet him during the presentation!

Presented by: Detective Rochelle Jones was hired by the Portsmouth Police Department in 2002. She is a U.S. Army Veteran; and former corrections officer. She is assigned as the Community Outreach Coordinator, Mason the Comfort Dog’s Handler, and the Senior Services Liaison. She is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with the community and providing safety & educational trainings. Det. Jones is a Crisis Hostage Negotiator, CISM and Peer Support team member, serves on the NH FAST board, and is on the NH NAMI Crisis Intervention Team Faculty. She is a past recipient of the Women Leaders in Alzheimer’s Association Policy Award. Det. Jones is hardworking, friendly, and compassionate. She is dedicated to being Mason’s Mom, helping other first responders, and caring for the community where she was raised, lives, and continues to serve.

Mason the Comfort Dog is a 2 ½ year old, black American Labrador Retriever, and the Portsmouth police department’s 1st Comfort Dog! Mason comes from a non-profit organization called Hero Pups who trains and provides comfort, emotional support, service, and therapy dogs to first responders and Veterans. His handler/Mom is Det. Rochelle Jones. Mason helps boost morale for police officers, city personnel, and their families and is available for victim interviews to reduce stress. In between, he also makes appearances at community events, schools, assisted living facilities, and wherever else he is needed that is within his responsibilities. He holds several American Kennel Club titles and is a certified Therapy Dog. When Mason is not working, he enjoys watching Judge Judy with his mom, playing ball, swimming, and traveling.

PM Session 4: Federal Prosecutions of Elder Fraud Cases

This session will examine federal prosecutions of elder fraud cases in New Hamsphire, the difficulty in prosecuting elder fraud cases, and how best to combat elder fraud.

Presented by: Alexander Chen, JD Assistant US Attorney, U.S. Attorney Office-District Of New Hampshire

Alexander S. Chen is an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Hampshire. He prosecutes primarily white-collar cases, including elder fraud cases, and serves as the office’s Elder Justice coordinator. AUSA Chen received his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Harvard College in 2013, and his law degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 2017. After graduating from law school, AUSA Chen clerked for Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and Judge Norman H. Stahl of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and was a litigation associate at Ropes & Gray in Boston before becoming an AUSA.

LPM Session 1: Elderly impersonation Scams and Crypto Currency/How to fight back.

This session will provide an overview of how the elderly are victimized by sophisticated impersonation scams with a focus on exactly how the scammers receive their payments when cryptocurrency is hte medium of exchange. The Presenter will demonstrate how simple legislation may be drafted to thwart the ease by which the scmamers have been able to receive payments from victims.

Presented by: Edward Myslik, Principal Consumer Credit Examiner, State of Maine, Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection

LPM Session 2: Accounting for Accountability
Work through an actual financial abuse case with a team, hands-on exercise using quick financial analysis tools to identify potential areas of concern. Learn to decipher the financial red flags, and dive deep into a reported incident of financial exploitation. The workshop will conclude with an overview of the analysis prepared for the successfully prosecuted case you have just reviewed.
Presented by: Carol Guyer is a Financial Research Analyst with the NH Department of Justice where she provides financial analysis for civil and criminal litigation of financial cases including Elder Financial Abuse cases. Carol joined the NH DOJ with 31 years of auditing experience at the NH Department of Revenue. While at the NH Department of Revenue, she served as a Financial Manager, Tax Auditor, Internal Auditor and Risk Assessment Officer. She was the National Chair of the Federation of Tax Administrators Tobacco Section. Her innovation, tenacity, and cooperation was awarded with the Charles Mills Award of Excellence. Carol earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Gradate Certificate in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigations from Southern NH University.

LPM Session 3: 603 Legal/Consumer Protection Services: Another layer of legal support.

Domestic violence can come in many forms, including financial abuse. This can happen to anyone of any age – including older adults. This presentation will review the statistics on this financial abuse, common forms of financial abuse, and what to look out for. This session will go in depth to show what domestic abuse can look like for adults, including older adults. Often Older adults have trouble managing their finances or have comingled their funds with a spouse or child. That spouse or child could abuse the acces to the finances wihtout the adult's knowledge. Financial abuse can come in other forms, too. It is a way to keep people reliant on their abuser.

Presenter: Meredith Byerly, JD, is the Consumer Law Attorney at 603 Legal Aid, handling both consumer debt and IRS issues. As part of this role, she travels throughout New Hampshire giving presentations on Scams and identity theft to those most susceptible to them. She is a former public defender and New Hampshire native who continues to have a passion for helping the most vulnerable in our communities. She holds both an undergraduate degree and law degree from the University of New Hampshire, making her a "double Wildcat."

Katie Anthony is the DOVE Project Manager at 603 Legal Aid. With over a decade of experience working in social services, she strives to connect all qualified survivors of domestic violence and stalking with the quality legal services they deserve, at no cost. Katie holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from New England College and is committed to the continued growth of the DOVE Project across New Hampshire.

LPM Session 4: The Emotional Impact of Online Romance Scams on Older Adults

This presentation, led by a Nashua Police Department Social Worker, will highlight the types of calls the department recieves, how social workers can intervene, and how they work collaboratively with community partners to address financial scams; specifically focused on the emotional impact online romance scams have on older adults

Presenter: Dr. Leah Elliott, DSW, LICSW is the Clinical Community Social Worker for the Nashua Police Department. In her role, she supports law enforcement officials in responding to mental health calls. Leah also serves as an adjunct professor at Nashua Community College, and provides individual therapy at a group practice.Originally from the Boston area, Leah has been part of the Nashua community since 2003, both raising her family and working within the local social work system. She previously worked for the Division for Children, Youth and Families as a Child Protection Services Worker, the Youth Council as a Student Assistance Program Counselor at the Nashua high schools, and as the Director for Social and Emotional Wellness at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua.Leah obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Law from Suffolk University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of New Hampshire. Leah recently completed her Doctorate of Social Work at Simmons University, where she created a training program for law enforcement officials to help them positively support individuals experiencing psychosis in crisis. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a clinical supervisor to those completing social work degree programs and pursuing clinical licensure. Leah is passionate about social justice and assuring people have access to services to meet their needs.

Sharing the day: The afternoon wrap up

Complete your program evaluations in exchange for your certificate of attendance. Share your experiences from the day, and make sure to exchange business cards with your new network.

Info: Session AM1: Cognitive Decline and and Financial Decision Making : Melissa Grenier:

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

New Hampshire Institute of Politics, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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