Medical Equipment Supplier Convicted of Theft and
Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult

BALTIMORE, MD (June 10, 2008) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Paris G. George, 54, currently residing at 1101 Dulaney Gate Circle in Cockeysville, pled guilty to charges of felony theft and felony exploitation of a vulnerable adult. George entered his guilty pleas before Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Cavanaugh, just before the start of a week-long jury trial. Judge Cavanaugh imposed the disposition agreed upon by the State and Defendant’s counsel, and sentenced George to five years in prison with all but three years suspended.

Between December 2000 and May 2006, Paris George committed a succession of 15 thefts, which amounted in $33,210.00, against homeowners and one church in need of wheelchair lifts and stairlifts. The victims responded to local newspaper advertisements placed by George using various company names. George responded to each sales call, agreed to provide the necessary medical equipment, and required a large deposit prior to delivery. In fact, George kept the money that he received from the 15 customers and never supplied the medical equipment. George’s felony exploitation of a vulnerable adult was committed against Edward McCoy, an elderly, bed-ridden man whom George conned into paying a $1,250 deposit on a stair lift that Mr. McCoy would never be well enough to use.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Office, with the assistance of the Maryland State Police. In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Gansler thanked Assistant Attorney General Kate O’Donnell for her work on the case.