He said his crew took advantage of a passing parade to scatter while Abramsohn and his co-star, Elena Schuber, struggled to explain themselves.

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The annuity was cashed out in January by Ms. Schuber's son, Theodore, who was named her conservator last September, said his attorney, Mary Heare Amodio.

WSJ: Annuity Case Chills Insurance Agents

By last year's trial, Ms. Schuber was too ill to testify.

WSJ: Annuity Case Chills Insurance Agents

Had Ms. Schuber pulled her money out within the first year of ownership, she would have had to pay a penalty equal to 12.5% of the principal, according to Allianz.

WSJ: Annuity Case Chills Insurance Agents

The boyfriend, Louis Jochim, said in an interview that Ms. Schuber knew he was pleased with his annuity and wanted one as an alternative to a bank certificate of deposit.

WSJ: Annuity Case Chills Insurance Agents

In an interview, Mr. Neasham said the elderly woman, Fran Schuber, arrived at his office with her longtime octogenarian boyfriend, who had bought an indexed annuity from Mr. Neasham years before.

WSJ: Annuity Case Chills Insurance Agents

Ms. Schuber "was mentally competent, " Mr. Jochim said.

WSJ: Annuity Case Chills Insurance Agents