House Democrat With ‘Early Stages of Dementia’ Victimized by Scammers at Her Home, Police Say

Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) was the victim of an apparent home scam, after a group posing as HVAC workers allegedly charged her more than $4,000 for services that were never performed — an incident detailed in a police report that also claimed the 88-year-old non-voting member of Congress is in the “early stages of dementia.”

The alleged fraud occurred on Thursday at the Democratic congresswoman’s home in Southeast D.C., where the group gained entry and billed her $4,362 on her credit card, authorities said. A longtime friend and house manager, identified in a public incident report as Jacqueline Pelt, noticed the individuals on Norton’s security camera and called police after realizing the transaction was suspicious.

A police report, obtained by NBC4 Washington, described Norton, 88, as being in the “early stages of dementia” and said she had a caretaker with power of attorney. Norton’s office disputed that characterization in a statement to NBC4, calling it an “assumption the reporting officer was unqualified to make.” Her spokesperson clarified that the congresswoman “doesn’t have a caretaker,” but rather a trusted employee and friend who manages her household logistics.

Police have opened a felony fraud investigation but have not announced any arrests. Norton’s office said she believed the visit had been prearranged by staff and provided her card in good faith. The credit card company was notified, and the charges were later canceled.

Norton, the oldest member of the U.S. House, has represented D.C. since 1991 and continues to signal plans to seek reelection next year — despite recent calls, including from former DNC chair Donna Brazile, for her to retire after decades of service.

“I say that my seniority is what is very important, and I am not going to step aside,” Norton declared in September. Notably, in June, Norton’s staff pumped the brakes on a similar sentiment from the delegate, emphasizing that she was still “in conversations with her family, friends, and closest advisors to decide what’s best.”