In a case that has sent shockwaves through the St. Louis community, Gino Rives, a 36-year-old resident of Edmundson, Missouri, has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for orchestrating elaborate fraud schemes targeting the elderly and the government.
Beyond his prison term, authorities are now intensifying efforts to locate and recover assets Rives acquired through his fraudulent activities.
The Fraudulent Schemes
Rives’ criminal activities encompassed both elder exploitation and disability fraud:
- Elder Fraud: Rives exploited two elderly women over several years. He obtained four vehicles and checks totaling more than $855,000 from one victim, under the pretense of performing construction work on her home—most of which was never completed. He also misused her debit card for personal expenses. In another instance, Rives transferred ownership of a house belonging to a different elderly woman into his name, subsequently moving her into a nursing home and allowing his mother to reside in the property.
- Disability Fraud: Since 2010, Rives falsely claimed to have a mental health disorder to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. He feigned symptoms such as memory problems and an inability to handle financial affairs, all while concealing his employment in construction and tree trimming, participation in mixed martial arts, and ownership of multiple properties and vehicles. This deception led to him fraudulently receiving over $91,000 in disability benefits.
Asset Recovery Efforts
Authorities are now focused on locating assets Rives acquired through his fraudulent activities. A recent court order has identified six vehicles that Rives allegedly obtained fraudulently and is required to surrender. However, the whereabouts of these vehicles remain unknown, complicating restitution efforts for his victims.
Impact on Victims
The repercussions of Rives’ actions have been devastating for his victims. One elderly woman was left in a nursing home with minimal personal belongings, lacking even basic mementos from her past.
Friends and advocates continue to seek restitution, but the process has been fraught with challenges, especially given the missing assets.
Family Involvement
The investigation also revealed that Rives’ mother, Zella Rives, played a role in the fraudulent activities. She assisted her son in faking his disability to obtain SSI benefits, acting as his representative payee and providing false information to the Social Security Administration.
In July 2024, she was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to repay $131,155 for her involvement.
The case of Gino Rives underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation.
As authorities work to recover the hidden assets and provide restitution to the victims, it serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of fraud and the ongoing efforts required to combat it.
