A Massachusetts woman has been charged with stealing early $200,000 from an 83-year-old legally blind man she was hired to help.
Gloria Morvan, 61, of Whitinsville, was released on personal recognizance on Tuesday after pleading not guilty to larceny from a person over 65.
According to court documents, Morvan worked as a part-time caretaker for Harold Swart, 83, who paid her in cash to help him with several tasks, including writing checks for bills.Police say Morvan had met Swart at Peg's Diner where she had worked back in October 2016.
"She would do grocery shopping, errands, things like that for cash," said Northbridge Police Lt. Timothy LaBrie.
Police said Swart would pay Morvan $60 here and there for helping him out, but became suspicious last month when she allegedly wouldn’t return his van she used for errands, and ordered an ATM card for him and it never arrived.
"That’s when they were alerted to the fact that $195,000 was withdrawn via check from his account," LaBrie said.
LaBrie says neither Santander Bank where Swart had his account, nor Bank of America in Uxbridge where Morvan deposited the check, alerted him to the large amount.
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"The gentleman has indicated to us numerous times that he did not give her permission to write that check," said LaBrie.
Morvan told police the money was a gift from Swart.
Police say Morvan used the money to buy a condominium in the Whitinsville section of Northbridge.
She told police the money was a gift.
Those who know Morvan and live nearby were shocked.
"I would just never expect that from her," said neighbor Don Leitao.
"It’s just heartbreaking, how low can you get really," asked resident Bob Smith.
Morvan is out on personal recognizance, but is due back in court May 30.
