A day in the life of an investigations officer
Morning
9.00am
It’s a busy day ahead, so I take some time now to check my email. The most important thing to pop up is an email from my supervisor advising that I have been allocated a new investigation. The investigation was initiated after a bank contacted OPG regarding one of their elderly customers, Gerald*.
Upon reviewing the file, I can see that the bank became suspicious when Gerald’s son, Jamie*, who held an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA), applied to break one of Gerald’s term deposits to pay the arrears on fees for Gerald’s nursing home. Additionally, the bank found significant withdrawals totalling $12,000, many of which were out of character for a resident of an aged care facility.
The bank has frozen all Gerald’s accounts, and I will now conduct an investigation to determine if Jamie is financially abusing Gerald, and should have his financial powers under the EPOA suspended pending a formal decision from the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).
9.30am
I now have a QCAT hearing to attend via phone regarding Alex* (45), a man with Down Syndrome. The referral came from bank staff who noticed a sudden change in Alex’s demeanour and unusual transactions on his account. While he had always been cheerful during his weekly visits, he had recently become withdrawn and was attending with new "friends". When questioned, Alex disclosed that these individuals were pressuring him to give them money.
The bank provided statements showing a significant drop in Alex’s balance. His doctor confirmed that while Alex could manage day-to-day expenses, he required support with complex financial matters. I applied for an urgent interim order, and the Public Trustee was appointed for three months.
Further investigation revealed Alex’s uncle had previously supported him but had recently moved overseas. Not long after, Alex met the group who exploited his generosity. His uncle was distressed to learn of this, particularly as he thought he had arranged sufficient financial supports before leaving. He suggested that Alex’s cousin, Ben*, could step in as a trusted support.
When I spoke with Alex to get his views and wishes, he expressed relief and supported Ben’s appointment as his administrator. Ben subsequently applied to QCAT and was deemed suitable as Alex’s ongoing administrator, ensuring his finances would be safeguarded into the future.
11.30am
After the hearing, I catch up on a few miscellaneous tasks/emails and grab some lunch before heading out on a visit this afternoon.
I get some good news when I discover the outcome of a criminal case that was finalised in court yesterday. I conducted an investigation into the actions of a woman, Michelle*, who was acting under an EPOA for her mother, Linda*.
It transpired that Michelle was using her mother’s money for her own purposes, which left her mother in dire neglect. So as well as suspending her financial power of attorney, we referred her case to the Queensland Police Service. Michelle has just been found guilty of fraud, and will be sentenced to a period of imprisonment.
Afternoon
1.00pm
I meet up with my colleague, and we head out to a client visit. For safety reasons we always go out on visits in pairs, as you never know what exactly you might encounter. The exception would be if we are visiting a client in a residential facility, such as a nursing home.
I would also generally plan ahead so that I can visit several clients in one outing, but this is an urgent case requiring an immediate visit. Concerns have been raised that a 75 year old woman, Sarah*, is living in a home environment that is unsafe and a health hazard due to vermin, and she isn’t receiving adequate services at home.
Sarah lives by herself and she has no known family/friend support or EPOA. Information gathered thus far indicates that Sarah has a dual diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Dementia and Major Depression, and her cognitive capacity has been declining over the past year. Before we enter the house we meet up with the Mental Health Support facilitator and representatives from the council and the RSPCA, and are briefed by a representative from Centacare Community, who raised the issue with us.
When we enter the house we find it in a state of absolute squalor, with rubbish such as rotting food, empty drinks cans and bottles, takeaway wrappers and dirty clothes piled up knee high in some places. Access to the cupboards, dishwasher, oven and fridge is obstructed by the rubbish, and the cat litter tray extremely dirty.
3.00pm
After getting back to the office I start work on an urgent interim application to QCAT. I am recommending that the Public Guardian is appointed as Sarah’s guardian, as there is an immediate and continuing risk to Sarah’s health if the home is not maintained in a hygienic way.
If the Public Guardian is appointed, we will be able to consent to an extensive clean to remove what could well be excess of two tonnes of rubbish from Sarah’s home. We’ll also be able to be sure that a cleaner is engaged on a regular basis and Sarah receives the right supports to meet her needs.
An appointment of the Public Guardian will mean that going forward Sarah’s needs will be adequately met and her interests protected.
*All names have been changed to protect identities.