At 88, Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives, has become the unfortunate target of a brazen scam that raises serious questions about vulnerability and public service, the New York Post reported.
Representing D.C. since 1991, Norton was deceived by fraudsters posing as HVAC workers who charged over $4,000 to her credit card without performing any work, while conflicting reports about her cognitive health—ranging from police notes on early dementia to denials from her office—add a troubling layer to this incident.
On a Thursday afternoon, shortly after 3:30 p.m., multiple scammers arrived at Norton’s Washington, D.C., home under the guise of being HVAC technicians.
Believing the visit was arranged by her house manager, Norton handed over her credit card, resulting in a staggering $4,362 charge for services that were never rendered.
Her house manager, a longtime employee and friend who does not live with her, later reviewed Ring doorbell footage and confirmed no appointment had been scheduled, prompting a swift call to the D.C. police.
While Norton’s office insists she has no caretaker, the absence of anyone to oversee the situation during the scammers’ visit left her exposed to this felony fraud, which remains under investigation with suspects still at large.
An internal police report, obtained by NBC News4, described Norton as suffering from “early stages of dementia” in the victim information section, a claim that has ignited debate about her capacity to serve.
Her office quickly pushed back, stating, “The medical diagnosis included in the police report was based on an assumption the reporting officer was unqualified to make,” dismissing the assertion as unprofessional and unfounded (NBC News4).
Meanwhile, the public incident report from D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department made no mention of any health concerns, leaving the public to wonder where the truth lies in this sensitive matter.
Friends and colleagues, as reported by The New York Times earlier this year, have observed signs of mental decline in Norton, noting her infrequent attendance at House Oversight Committee meetings and difficulty recognizing familiar faces.
They’ve described her as increasingly reliant on aides, family, and close friends, unable to function independently—a stark contrast to the image of a steadfast public servant.
Yet, when asked by Axios last month about her plans, Norton firmly declared, “I say that my seniority is what is very important, and I am not going to step aside,” signaling her intent to run for re-election despite these growing concerns (Axios).
While Norton’s decades of service deserve respect, this incident and the surrounding whispers of cognitive decline beg the question: At what point does personal determination clash with the public’s need for effective representation?
Her office assures everyone that she is safe, the fraudulent charges have been reported to both the police and her bank, and they’ve thanked the Metropolitan Police Department and Capitol Police for their response, declining further comment.
Still, as conservatives who value accountability over feel-good narratives, it’s fair to wonder if staying in office past one’s prime serves the people—or simply a progressive agenda that prioritizes optics over pragmatism.
