Accused elder swindler makes $400,000 bail

Costello reportedly planned to post the previously set $300,000 amount at her preliminary hearing earlier this month but the judge raised the total. A week later, she made the bond which does not require her to prove the money was not culled from her alleged victim or other ill-gotten means.

Prosecutor Melissa McKowan initially had Costello in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail because she posed a flight risk and has a prior failure to appear out of Florida.

Costello has pleaded not guilty to financial elder abuse and taking money under false pretenses with the allegation of excessive theft from an elderly person.

According to prosecutors, Costello persuaded an 82-year-old man she met just months ago to give her money by claiming to be a friend of his deceased wife. Costello allegedly told the man, who lives in a San Mateo assisted living facility, that she had cancer and needed money for treatment. The man also took Costello on vacation to Las Vegas and the couple discussed marriage plans.

An employee of the facility who regularly works with the victim notified authorities after noticing large checks and abnormalities in his banking records. After an investigation by police and Adult Protective Services, the case was forwarded to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

Following a month-long investigation by San Mateo police, Costello, a transient, was arrested in San Mateo the morning of July 19.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.