Police report says veteran congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton has dementia and was targeted in home scam

Eleanor Holmes Norton, a former congressional representative from Washington, D.C., was allegedly defrauded of thousands of dollars this week after individuals posing as HVAC home repair workers charged her credit card for unauthorized services, according to D.C. police.

Authorities confirmed that Norton, 88, lost more than $4,000 in the incident reported Through Politics. A public police report stated that the fraudulent charges were made for services at Norton’s home. The complaint was filed by Jacqueline Pelt, a longtime aide and close ally of Norton who is listed in the report as living in the congressman’s home.

According to the report, Pelt “did not authorize any work to be performed” at the property and immediately canceled Norton’s credit cards after discovering the unauthorized charges. Outlets also obtained an internal police report detailing how several individuals arrived at Norton’s home claiming to be HVAC workers.

That same internal report claimed that Norton was in the “early stages of dementia” and that Pelt had power of attorney on her behalf. Politics has not independently verified these details.

Norton’s office pushed back on certain aspects of the report, stating that “the medical diagnosis in the police report was based on an assumption that the reporter was not authorized to make.” The statement also clarified that Norton “does not have a concierge,” but rather “a longtime employee and friend serves as house manager, living at a separate address.”

The incident has led to renewed scrutiny of Norton’s health and her ability to serve, especially as she plans to seek re-election next year. Her recent absence from public appearances — most notably during President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Washington — has fueled speculation among some political observers.

Donna Brazile, a veteran Democratic strategist, recently called on Norton to retire, writing in an op-ed that it may be time for her to “pass the torch.” Meanwhile, two DC Council members, Brooke Pinto and Robert White, have announced their efforts to challenge Norton in what could be her toughest reelection battle yet.

Campaign financial filings show that Norton’s fundraising is lagging behind that of her potential opponents, adding to concerns about the strength of her campaign as she continues to navigate public and personal challenges.

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