BRONX WOMAN AND HER DAUGHTER INDICTED FOR SELLING 92-YEAR-OLD’S HOUSE WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE, POCKETING $760,000 FROM SALE

 

Defendants Also Allegedly Stole $80,000 from Victim’s Bank Account

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two Bronx women have been indicted on Grand Larceny and additional charges for swindling a 92-year-old woman out of $840,000 from selling her house and withdrawing from her bank accounts without her knowledge.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants are accused of preying on a 92-year-old woman by having her sign documents giving them power of attorney, enabling them to access her accounts and finances. The victim lost her home as well as money used to support her extended family. If you take advantage of a vulnerable, elderly person in the Bronx, we will hold you accountable.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant Maria Garcia, 75, of Seffner, Florida, was arraigned on two counts of second-degree Grand Larceny, two counts of third-degree Grand Larceny, two counts of fourth-degree Grand Larceny, two counts of Petit Larceny, third-degree Criminal Tax Fraud, and fifth-degree Criminal Tax Fraud.

 Mara Garcia, 39, of Doral, Florida, was arraigned on second-degree Grand Larceny, thirddegree Grand Larceny, fourth-degree Grand Larceny, Petit Larceny, three counts of second-degree Forgery, second-degree Criminal Tax Fraud, third-degree Criminal Tax Fraud, fourth-degree Criminal Tax Fraud, fifth-degree Criminal Tax Fraud, and first-degree Offering a False Statement for Filing. If convicted of the top count the defendants face up to 15 years in prison.

 They were arraigned on May 20, 2022 before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Raymond Bruce. The defendants were placed on supervised release. They are due back in court on July 28, 2022.

 According to the investigation, between June 13, 2017 and February 20, 2021, the defendants, who knew the victim through their practice of Santeria, allegedly stole approximately $840,000 from Eladia Perez, who was 92 years old at the time, including $760,000 from the sale of her house in Soundview. The investigation found that the victim unknowingly signed numerous documents and multiple powers of attorney enabling the defendants to access, control and open bank accounts and other financial instruments, unbeknownst to the victim.

 The defendants allegedly used the money to pay for personal expenses. Mara Garcia allegedly paid off a $18,000 dollar credit card bill and took a European vacation. Maria Garcia allegedly paid off a refinance on her home for approximately $102,000. The defendants allegedly never paid taxes on money received from selling the stolen property.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked Associate Attorney Deborah Nathan, Forensic Tax Auditor Samantha Remigio and Section Head William J. Welch of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Criminal Investigations Division, as well as Detective Pedro Cortes of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.