State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo is suing an Auburn insurance broker, claiming the broker used fear of being sent to a nursing home to dupe clients into buying unneeded home care policies.

Cuomo issued a press release Monday announcing the case against Thomas Piccirillo. He said Piccirillo targeted seniors in an effort to make lucrative commissions. In 2006, Cuomo said, Piccirillo brought in $117,000 in commissions.

Cuomo is seeking restitution for any defrauded customers, and an order requiring Piccirillo to post a $500,000 bond in order to sell additional policies. The suit also seeks a $10,000 penalty.

"These services are supposed to give us peace-of-mind that our loved ones are being cared for while staying independent," Cuomo said. "However, this broker preyed upon elderly fears of being institutionalized as a way to sell home care policies they did not understand, did not need, and did not use."

For more on this story, read Tuesday's edition of The Citizen.