Attorney General Alan Wilson announces man with power of attorney charged with stealing more than $10,000 from vulnerable adult

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Paul M. Bostrom, 58 years old, of Highlands, N.C. 

Bostrom faces the following charges:

• Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult {§ 43-35-85(D)}
• Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent, value $10,000 or more {§ 16-13-0230(B)(2)}

Bostrom was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center on October 12, 2026.

A joint investigation conducted by VAMPF and the Lexington Police Department alleges that Bostrom, while the victim was residing in an assisted living facility in Lexington, South Carolina, used his position as the victim’s power of attorney to unlawfully convert the victim’s funds and assets for his own benefit. Investigators allege that he acted with fraudulent intent and intended to permanently deprive the victim of those funds and assets. The value of the assets and funds involved is alleged to exceed $10,000.

The victim was classified as a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law as they resided in an assisted living facility during the alleged misconduct. 

South Carolina Offenses and Penalties:

• Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult – Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
• Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent, value $10,000 or more – Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or a fine at the discretion of the court.

This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

Pursuant to federal regulations, VAMPF has authority over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries in any setting; and the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. 

Attorney General Wilson stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, dba VAMPF, receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $3,221,544.42 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2027. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,073,848.14for FY 2027, is funded by South Carolina.