Virginia law § 18.2-178.2 criminalizes financial exploitation by an agent acting under a power of attorney, especially when targeting a vulnerable adult. The law defines key terms and establishes that knowingly or intentionally exploiting a vulnerable adult is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with separate and additional penalties if other laws are also violated.
Financial exploitation involves illegal, unauthorized, or fraudulent use or deprivation of a vulnerable adult's property for the benefit of someone else.
An agent is someone authorized to act on behalf of another through a power of attorney, as defined in Virginia law.
The offense is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can include criminal penalties and possible additional charges if other laws are violated.
Yes, violations of this law are separate from other offenses, and multiple charges can be prosecuted simultaneously.