Prosecutors wonder about more victims on their deathbed after fraud

ST. LOUIS – Gino Rives pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to elder fraud for tricking a dying woman into paying for his vacation.

We caught a glimpse of Rives’ face as he left his hearing before hiding behind relatives, pulling up his hoodie and running away from our camera.

In the case of one victim, a Secret Service investigator’s affidavit said a fraud investigator at a U.S. bank noticed unusual transactions by an 82-year-old. The investigator determined that from January 2021 to March 2023, 83 checks in excess of $1,100,000 were written to Gino Rives.

The money was for reported home repairs, although court records show the suspect is not a licensed contractor and the woman’s home is only worth $135,000.

It emerged that Rives had once again deceived his 82-year-old victim as he lay hallucinating on his deathbed.

A Secret Service affidavit states: “On March 31, 2023, while (the victim) was in the hospital and unable to communicate, three Southwest Airlines tickets containing (the victim’s) debit card number were issued to Rives and two other individuals ( bought for a…) Phoenix vacation).”

“She actually had surgery for pancreatic cancer. I believe she was hospitalized at the end of March and died on April 4th. During that time, he obtained her credit card,” said federal prosecutor Tracy Berry.

“If there are other people, we certainly hope they see your story and contact the Secret Service or Missouri Adult Protective Services.”

Rives will be sentenced at a later date, but the federal judge ordered him to return to court later this week, where he may be jailed while he awaits sentencing.

Rives did not comment outside of court.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services assisted in the investigation. DHSS has an Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline available by phone at 1-800-392-0210 or online at https://health.mo.gov/safety/abuse.