Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 88, defrauded out of $4,000, has ‘early signs of dementia’

Eleanor Holmes Nortona nonvoting delegate who represents the District of Columbia, is suffering from the “early stages of dementia,” according to a police report detailing how scammers took advantage of the House’s oldest member.

Norton88, was tricked by several suspects on Thursday who went to her Washington, D.C., home claiming to be HVAC workers, according to an internal police report obtained by NBC News4.

Scammers charged $4,362 Democratic Congresswoman Credit card without doing any work.

The report states that “Norton’s acting/acting agent was not home” at the time the group showed up, which was shortly after 3:30 p.m., noting that it was “Norton’s acting representative” who called D.C. police after noticing the unscheduled arrival at the congresswoman’s home.

Norton’s apparent cognitive impairment was described in the section of the police report detailing victim information.

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), 88, a black woman, is suffering from the early stages of dementia,” the report states.

Norton, who has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 1991, showed signs of mental decline and had difficulty doing her job on Capitol Hill in recent years, her friends and colleagues told the newspaper. New York Times Earlier this year.

The newspaper reported that the congresswoman is described as “unable to work independently,” and relies on aides, close friends, and family members for assistance, noting that she rarely attends House Oversight Committee meetings and sometimes appears not to recognize people she has known for years.

The congresswoman’s office rejected the “dementia” claim, in a statement to NBC News4.

“The medical diagnosis included in the police report was based on an assumption that the reporting officer was not qualified to make,” the statement read.

Norton’s office also confirms that the congresswoman’s “acting” is in fact her “house manager.”

“The Congresswoman employs a house manager who oversees all maintenance, so she initially assumed her staff arranged the visit and provided her credit card for payment,” Norton’s office said. “After notifying her manager, who reviewed the Ring doorbell footage and confirmed that no such appointment had been scheduled, the incident was immediately reported to police.”

“Congresswoman Norton does not have a caretaker. A longtime employee and friend serves as house manager, and resides at a separate address.”

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department provided the newspaper with a “general incident report” that did not include the “dementia” allegation.

The report indicates that police are investigating the case as felony fraud against Norton.

The suspects are still at large.

Her office added, “The congresswoman is fine, and the police and her bank have been informed of the fraud charges.” “She thanks MPD and Capitol Police for their quick response. There will be no further comment.”

Norton (D-DC) Axios said She said last month that she had no plans to leave Congress despite growing concerns about her mental health.

“Of course,” she replied when asked if she was running for re-election.

“I say that my seniority is what matters most, and I will not stand aside.”

A Norton spokesperson did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.