Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/29/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DA PASSALACQUA APPOINTED TO CO-CHAIR
ELDER ABUSE COMMITTEE FOR CDAA

Sacramento District Attorney Jan Scully, President of the California District Attorney’s Association (CDAA), has selected Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua to become the co-chair for the Elder Abuse Committee for CDAA.

President Jan Scully stated, "District Attorney Passalacqua has provided critical leadership in raising public awareness in the area of elder abuse." This past May, District Attorney Passalacqua co-hosted an elder abuse summit in Sonoma County with California District Attorney’s Association, Institute for the Advancement of Criminal Justice, Sonoma County Human Services Department, Council on Aging, Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging, Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chief’s Association, and the Elder Financial Protection Network.

According to recently reported statistics, Sonoma County has approximately 90,000 residents age 60 or over, representing 18 % of the population. This number is expected to skyrocket 157 percent in five years and the number of seniors in Sonoma County over eighty-five, is expected to increase 200% by 2040. One-fourth of the U.S. population will be over 60 by 2020.

"I am honored that District Attorney Scully selected me to chair this important position. Given growing numbers of seniors in our communities, it is critical that we work together to prevent elder abuse, " said District Attorney Passalacqua.

District Attorney Passalacqua will co-chair the elder abuse committee with San Diego Prosecutor Paul Greenwood.