Former Bucks County police officer accused of attempting to steal elderly woman’s estate in fraudulent scheme, according to the District Attorney.

A disturbing case has emerged involving a former police officer accused of exploiting an elderly woman in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Prosecutors allege that Carlito Cortez, 59, manipulated a vulnerable 76-year-old woman following a minor incident in 2020, during which she reported a theft of jewelry to the authorities. Instead of providing protection, Cortez is accused of executing a calculated scheme that ultimately sought to rob the victim of her life savings and property.

Cortez, who served as an officer in both Yardley and Langhorne, forged a close relationship with the victim under the guise of concern. According to court documents, he moved into her residence, convinced her to hire his mistress as a live-in aide, and even persuaded her to grant him medical power of attorney. The extent of his manipulation included enlisting the help of a former councilman in Yardley to draft legal documents naming himself as the beneficiary of the victim’s 0,000 estate.

Bucks County District Attorney Jen Schorn characterized Cortez’s actions as predatory and exploitative. Witness testimony reveals that the former officer took extensive measures to gain the trust of the elderly woman and then exploited it. Prosecutors believe Cortez might have succeeded in his scheme if not for a watchful neighbor who became suspicious of his intentions.

Following an investigation initiated this year, Cortez was charged with theft, perjury, and other related offenses. As of recently, he has been released on 0,000 unsecured bail. His attorney has expressed a commitment to defending Cortez in court but has refrained from providing further comments.

Cortez’s tenure as a police officer extended from 2013 to 2023 in Yardley and from 2016 to 2024 in Langhorne, during which time he reportedly established a pattern of behavior aimed at gaining undue influence over elderly individuals. His alleged manipulations escalated to a point where he not only resided in the victim’s home but also attempted to control her financial decisions.

The investigation revealed further troubling details. Cortez had the elderly woman hire a live-in aide who was reportedly unlicensed and was romantically involved with him. This arrangement raised concerns, as the aide charged the victim ,000 for her services, despite lacking the necessary qualifications to assist her.

In a further gross violation of trust, Cortez allegedly coerced the woman into signing power of attorney documents without her full understanding of their content, which reportedly included financial powers and a revised will. Law enforcement subsequently discovered copies of the woman’s original will and the unauthorized revisions during a search of Cortez’s home.

As the case unfolds, Cortez is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 28, where the court will further examine the charges against him. This case has raised important questions about the vulnerabilities faced by the elderly and the implications of trust placed in individuals within positions of authority.

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