D.C. Delegate Norton Scammed Amid Early Dementia Diagnosis

Eleanor Holmes Norton, the 88-year-old non-voting delegate for Washington D.C., was scammed out of over $4,000 by individuals posing as HVAC workers who charged her credit card without performing any work. Police reports reveal that Norton is in the early stages of dementia and has a caretaker with power of attorney who intervened after spotting the fraudulent activity on a security camera. Despite the caretaker's involvement, Norton's office disputes claims of dementia and the presence of a caretaker, describing the individual as a house manager instead. This scam marks the third attempted fraud against Norton this year, and the case is being treated as felony fraud, with investigations ongoing and no arrests made. Norton, who has served since 1991 and holds significant influence as D.C.'s voice in Congress, plans to run for reelection in 2026 despite concerns about her cognitive health. The incident highlights broader issues of elderly politicians remaining in office despite potential impairments, raising calls for congressional term limits.