DC Woman Accused Of Financially Exploiting 95-Year-Old MoCo Grandfather

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A Washington, D.C., woman faces charges after authorities said she financially exploited her 95-year-old grandfather in Montgomery County.

Erica Hopper, 45, was charged with theft of more than $100,000, embezzlement, identity theft and other charges, Montgomery County police said in a statement.

According to police, Hopper was granted power of attorney for her then 90-year-old grandfather in December 2020, which gave her authority over his financial affairs and created a fiduciary responsibility to act in his best interest.

A year later, police said a concerned family member filed a complaint against Hopper and detectives began an investigation.

According to police, the investigation revealed that from November 2021 through at least June 2025, Hopper made more than $266,000 in unauthorized purchases from her grandfather’s accounts for her personal benefit.

Police said Hopper used her grandfather’s funds to pay over $25,000 in new car payments; more than $49,000 in credit card bills for items such as cosmetic surgery, luxury clothing and accessories, concert tickets, and online purchases; and more than $35,000 in rent for a luxury apartment in Washington, D.C.

Hopper was charged last week and taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where she was released on an unsecured personal bond.