Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 13, 2020 Plymouth DA: Malden man tried to steal $8,000 from elderly woman in Hanover in “arrest scam” Suspect pleads not guilty to larceny, other charges; held on $5,000 cash bail A Malden man orchestrated a plot to steal $8,000 from an elderly woman by claiming her family member had been arrested, according to a Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson. James Charles, 49, of Malden, was charged with larceny over $1,200 by false pretense and larceny over $250 from a person over 60. He also faces two counts each of money laundering and conspiracy. On April 16, the woman told Hanover police she received a call from a man claiming to be a family member in need of help. The man said he had been arrested in New Hampshire and turned the phone over to an “attorney,” who requested $8,000 for bail. The woman followed the caller’s instructions and turned the money over to a courier who arrived at her home, the DA’s office said. She requested a call back from the “attorney” but did not receive one. When she confirmed the whereabouts of her family member, she determined she had been defrauded of $8,000 and contacted police, the DA’s office said. Investigators believe Charles SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR A DIVORCED SPOUSE The divorced spouse is elA divorced spouse must meet certain conditions in order to collect social security benefits based upon his or her ex-spouse’s work history. The divorced spouse must have been married for at least 10 years. The divorced spouse must not have remarried. If remarried, the divorced spouse will still be able to collect benefits based upon the ex-spouse’s work history so long as the second marriage ended by death, divorce or annulment. If the divorced spouse did remarry, he or she could collect under either exspouse’s work history so long as the second marriage also lasted at least 10 years, or if the second spouse died, that marriage lasted at least 9 months. Furthermore, a divorced spouse must be at least 62 years of age or older to collect. If the ex-spouse is deceased and the divorced spouse is at least 50 years of age, the divorced spouse can collect social security benefits if deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration. A divorced spouse can begin collecting benefits so long as the ex-spouse is at least 62 years of age and he or she has been divorced for at least two years. igible to receive one half of the ex-spouse’s social security benefits. If, however, the ex-spouse dies, then the divorced spouse can then collect 100% of the ex-spouse’s full retirement benefit. This benefit would not include any delayed retirement credits the ex-spouse may receive. The divorced spouse would only be able to receive a benefit based upon the value of the ex-spouse’s benefit at his or her full retirement age. Full retirement age for those born between 1943 and 1954 is 66 years old. From 1955 to 1960, full retirement age gradually increases. For those born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. A person born prior to January 2, 1954 has the option of first collecting based upon the ex-spouse’s work history while allowing his or her own benefits to grow until reaching age 70, and then switching over to his or her own work history. The law was recently changed so that a divorced spouse born after January 1, 1954 applying for social security benefits will automatically receive the highest benefit for which he or she is entitled to, based upon either his or her own work history, or the work history of the ex-spouse. He or she no longer has the option of collecting benefits based upon the exspouse’s work history and then switching over to his or her own work history at age 70. Nothing uncomplicated about social security benefits when dealing with divorce. Joseph D. Cataldo is an Estate Planning/Elder Law Attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation. organized the scheme. He pleaded not guilty on Monday, November 9 and was ordered held on $5,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Jan. 19. “Coronavirus and social distancing are not going to stop those determined to take advantage of unsuspecting victims out to steal a person’s vital personal and financial information,” said Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz. “During this pandemic, we are all working daily to stay healthy and safe, and we need to practice this same vigilance every time we pick up the phone and while operating online.” OTERI | FROM PAGE 1 year contract on July 1 of that year. He replaced interim Supt. Dr. Charles Grandson, who served in the post from July 2016 to June 30, 2017. Formerly served nearly 20 years in Somerville schools Oteri was appointed Superintendent after nearly 20 years in the Somerville Public Schools, where he served as a Somerville High School social studies educator from 1999-2007 before becoming an Assistant Principal-Housemaster at Somerville High from 2007-2012 and then Somerville High Principal from 2012-2017. Prior to beginning his career in education, he was employed by the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF) as a social worker and supervisor. In his letter to the School Committee, Oteri expressed pride in some of the advances and achievements of the Malden Public Schools. In addition, he has been at the helm as the district has weathered the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic and the many challenges it has CambridgeSide and Parker 3D announce world premiere of GoPixelYourself C ambridgeSide and Parker 3D have announced the world premiere of GoPixelYourself, an “instagrammable museum” creating an experience for all ages that immerses visitors in color, texture and scale. Opening on Friday, November 20, GoPixelYourself will offer a limited engagement holiday experience through January 1, 2021. The carefully curated exhibition will include rooms featuring a 747-jet ready for holiday flight, a virtual blizzard of snowflakes, Santa’s sleigh with live Santa visits each weekend, and other magical holiday surprises. “Having built interactive entertainment worldwide, we are proud to debut GoPixelYourself in Greater Boston,” said Parker 3D CEO John Carter. “Our holiday exhibition provides an edgy, interactive attraction sure to delight visitors of all ages,” he added. Parker 3D’s GoPixelYourself is the next generation in the selfie-museum genre and features never-before-seen enhancements, including: • 13 rooms of distinctly different experiences and moods • 12,000 square feet space with 4,000 square feet of ever-changbrought. “In my four years in Malden we have accomplished a great deal,” the Superintendent said. “A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion was a stated goal during my public interview and the last three years reflects positive growth in this area and in diversifying our educational staff.” “I am proud of the improvements we have taken in strengthening student engagement, improving achievement and social/ emotional health,” he added. “With the excellent leadership, programs and procedures, instructional staff and support staff in place, student academic achievement should continue to improve.” Superintendent thanked leadership team The Superintendent stated he is particularly impressed with the Malden Public Schools leadership team now in place. “I am proud of the leadership team we have assembled. Our Principals, Directors and Central Office team are a cohesive, hard-working and student-centered group of leaders,” he stated. “It has been my privilege and honor of hiring many of these educationing animated digital video wall • More than nine million pixels of video entertainment • Automated cameras delivering animated movies, GIFs and selfies to each visitor • A website link for every guest to download photos and videos of their experience Visit GoPixelYourself.com to reserve your spot. Tickets are $30 per person. “We are thrilled to introduce GoPixelYourself.com, an ‘instagrammable’ experience for all ages,” said CambridgeSide Senior Marketing Director Melissa LaVita. “Make a day of it. Do some holiday shopping, grab lunch and make unique holiday memories at GoPixelYourself. This is a limited engagement; purchase tickets today at GoPIXELYourself.com and plan your day at CambridgeSide.com.” The experience is designed with for your safety. All visitors will be in their own private groups of up to eight people with pre-reserved times. Every guest receives a non-touch fever check at entry. Additional safety procedures include hand sanitizing stations, cleaning after every group, touchless cameras and social distancing protocols. al leaders and working closely with them over these four years.” “I have tremendous respect and admiration for all that they do for the students, families, and community,” the Superintendent added. Supt. Oteri said the future is positive for the district. “The foundation is in place for the Malden Public Schools to move successfully into the future,” he said in his letter. “I am honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to be the Superintendent in Malden.” Mayor Christenson thanked the Superintendent for his service to the community. “I want to thank Superintendent Oteri for his years of service to the staff, students and families of the Malden Public Schools,” Mayor Christenson said. “The timing of his decision was truly considerate for the School Committee and the district as we will have the opportunity to conduct a thorough search for our next leader,” the Mayor added. “In my capacity as Chair, I will plan on updating the community about our next steps and the establishment of a search committee at our next meeting on December 7.”
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