District Attorney acknowledges the work of CSLEA member and California Department of Justice Special Agent Kim Sharp

“Investigating financial crimes is often complex and time-consuming, as demonstrated by this case, which resulted in a three-month trial. We commend the dedication of our CSLEA member, DOJ Special Agent Sharp, along with everyone involved in the investigation and prosecution of these two criminals.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

FRESNO COUNTY – On June 29, 2026, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office announced that Gina Denise Abercrombie, 52, of Pleasanton, and Justin Linder Teel, 52, of Friant, were sentenced following their convictions in a sophisticated, three-year financial elder abuse scheme that targeted a vulnerable elder in Fresno County and resulted in the theft of more than $800,000 and the fraudulent acquisition of interests in property worth millions of dollars.

A judge sentenced Abercrombie to five years of formal probation, 365 days in the Fresno County Jail, and imposed a 10-year criminal protective order prohibiting contact with the victim’s daughter. Teel was sentenced to three years in state prison.

Following a three-month jury trial, Abercrombie and Teel were convicted on May 19, 2026, of one felony count of Financial Elder Abuse and two felony counts of Theft by False Pretenses. The victim was a 74-year-old resident of Sanger.

Following the unexpected death of the victim’s wife in 2017 and while he was experiencing significant health challenges, Abercrombie and Teel exploited his grief and vulnerability to gain increasing control over his finances, estate planning, and valuable real estate holdings.

Evidence presented during the three-month trial established that the victim owned numerous properties, including Sherwood Forest Mobile Home Park, a residence in Aptos, a home in Bass Lake, an almond ranch, and other real estate, as well as financial accounts collectively valued at more than $2.4 million.

Over approximately three years, Abercrombie, who is the victim’s stepdaughter, and Teel siphoned more than $800,000 from the victim’s financial accounts while systematically attempting to take control of his assets. Investigators uncovered forged documents, fraudulent deeds, unauthorized financial transactions, and other evidence demonstrating a sustained and sophisticated scheme to deprive the victim of his property.

Among the fraudulent acts, the defendants incorporated Sherwood Forest Mobile Home Park without the victim’s knowledge and falsely identified Abercrombie as its owner. They also fraudulently obtained title to the victim’s Aptos residence, valued at approximately $3 million, by misrepresenting legal documents as refinancing paperwork when the documents transferred ownership of the property to Abercrombie.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim’s daughter, Stacy Hansen Dovali, described the profound impact the crimes had on her father and their family.

“These crimes don’t just take money. They took away trust, dignity, peace, and, in our case, took away my dad.” She also told the Court: “My father deserved kindness. Instead, he was betrayed when he needed protection the most.”

“This case is a powerful reminder that elder abuse often happens behind closed doors and is frequently committed by individuals in positions of trust,” said Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp. “Financial exploitation can strip older adults of their savings, independence, dignity, and peace of mind.”

Financial elder abuse often goes undetected because it is frequently committed by trusted family members, caregivers, or others in positions of confidence. Financial elder abuse is one of the fastest-growing forms of elder abuse and often occurs through manipulation, deception, coercion, and the exploitation of trust.

A restitution hearing to determine the financial losses owed to the victim’s estate is scheduled for September 4, 2026.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office extended its appreciation to its law enforcement and agency partners for their invaluable assistance throughout the investigation, including Fresno County Sheriff’s Detective Skip Swain, California Department of Justice Special Agent Kim Sharp, and Josh Cochran of the Fresno County Public Guardian.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Lisa Urrizola.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office also recognizes the tremendous efforts of Senior District Attorney Investigator Julie Skamel, former (now retired) District Attorney Investigators Teri Terry, Jared Amey, and Rod Lichti, and Law Clerk Lacey Phillips, whose dedication and years of work were instrumental in bringing this case to justice.