Charges filed in $3 million estate theft 

BUFFALO (WNE) — Criminal charges have been filed against three local women who authorities say exploited a vulnerable adult and committed forgery and theft totaling more than $3 million.

Former Buffalo attorney Tonia Rae Hanson, Hanson’s daughter Tiffani Harbaugh and Deborah Jennings are facing numerous charges related to exploiting a vulnerable adult, theft and forgery.

The victim, Edith Sarver, was diagnosed with dementia, impaired decision-making and memory loss, according to the affidavit, while the three women were allegedly involved in Sarver’s estate. The criminal affidavit lists several alleged incidents of theft, including an $11,087.19 life insurance payout that Jennings deposited in her bank account before transferring half that amount over to Hanson. 

Jennings was charged with the abuse, neglect, intimidation or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, conspiracy to exploit a vulnerable adult, conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to commit theft and seven counts of felony theft. 

Harbaugh was charged with the abuse, neglect, intimidation or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, conspiracy to exploit a vulnerable adult, conspiracy to commit forgery, forgery of a mineral deed, forgery of a warranty deed, conspiracy to commit theft and three counts of felony theft. 

Hanson was charged with the abuse, neglect, intimidation or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, conspiracy to exploit a vulnerable adult, conspiracy to commit forgery, forgery of a mineral deed, forgery of a warranty deed, forgery of a quitclaim deed, conspiracy to commit theft, and 13 counts of felony theft. 

The affidavit also alleges that Hanson deposited a $100,000 check collected as part of a wrongful death lawsuit for the death of Sarver’s brother. The affidavit includes several other incidents of theft contributing to more than $3 million allegedly stolen from Sarver’s estate. 

This story was published on April 16, 2026.