Organ Salesman Charged With Alzheimer’s Scam

PORT RICHEY, Fla. — A music store manager was charged Thursday with exploiting a woman with Alzheimer’s disease who authorities say bought 11 organs from him over 18 months -- including four on a single day.

Scott L. Heyder, 36, sold the 79-year-old progressively more expensive instruments beginning in 2003 -- even after her family pleaded with him to stop, Pasco County sheriff’s detectives said Thursday.

Heyder was charged with felony exploitation of the elderly and was held on $10,000 bail at the Pasco County Jail.

The woman spent about $25,000 on organs and ended up with one worth about half that, said sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Doll. He said she had not received any money back from the music store, Fletcher Music Center at Gulfview Square Mall.

“I think it’s unconscionable, especially after the family confronted this salesperson and said, ‘Our mother has mental failings due to Alzheimer’s, she doesn’t know what she’s doing,’ ” Doll said.

A telephone message seeking comment left at Heyder’s home was not returned Thursday. Officials at Fletcher’s Music also did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Detectives requested that the woman not be publicly identified, fearing she might become the victim of another scam.