Generally, we see financial elder abuse treated only as a civil matter, which means there is no jail time or criminal record for the abuser. The penalty may be just returning the stolen assets or money. Sometimes, the wrongdoer also may need to pay interest, any gains, treble damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees and/or costs. For example, if the accused stole $100,000 and invested it, then the accused most likely would have to repay the $100,000 plus any interest, earnings or profits that accrued.