Venice-Area Woman Jailed In Alleged Elder Fraud Case
VENICE — A Venice-area woman is in the Sarasota County Jail on $152,500 bond, accused of exploiting an elderly victim through multiple felony theft and fraud offenses.
Tiffany Lynn Blair, 31, of Nokomis, is charged with theft from a person 65 or older, exploitation of the elderly, defrauding a person 65 or older, use of the identification of a person under 18 or older than 60 without consent, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. The defrauding charge carries a potential penalty of life in prison. Her arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 9.
According to a Venice Police Department probable cause affidavit, the victim reported ongoing unauthorized access to their bank account beginning in 2021. Investigators allege Blair used a debit card tied to the account to make tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized transactions, including transfers to her Venmo account, food delivery purchases, car rentals, and a hotel stay at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.
Police say Blair routinely retrieved the victim’s mail and provided false information about the status of the bank account. Investigators also allege Blair created email accounts posing as a bank and an attorney to gain the victim’s trust.
The case remains under investigation.