Couple Charged in Bilking Woman, 94, of $200,000
A couple who once operated a nursing registry were arrested Thursday and charged with bilking an infirm 94-year-old Lakewood woman of $200,000, leaving her penniless and living in a retirement home on public assistance, sheriff’s deputies said.
Jose Valeras, 55, and his wife, Salva, 40, who were held in lieu of $200,000 bail each, had agreed to provide 24-hour nursing care for Lola Haffnagle, who suffered from a variety of illnesses, investigators said.
After exhausting the woman’s life savings, the couple agreed to continue the care if she sold them her $130,000 home for $65,000, deputies said. They eventually moved her to a retirement home and took possession of the house.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
