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.