Managers of Alzheimer’s facility plead guilty to theft, credit card fraud

By Dave Clark

Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 | 3:05 p.m.

Two managers of Alzheimer's facilities in Henderson have pleaded guilty to charges involving theft from a 78-year-old patient.

Alberto Ramos pleaded guilty Dec. 10 to attempted fraudulent use of a credit card, which carries a sentence of as many as four years, and conspiracy to commit theft, which carries a sentence as much as one year.

His wife, Cynthia Santamaria Ramos, pleaded guilty to attempted exploitation of the elderly, carrying a maximum five year sentence, and conspiracy to commit theft, which carries a maximum one-year sentence.

Deputy District Attorney Andrea Rachiele said probation is a likely outcome given that neither individual has a prior criminal record. They are set to be sentenced at 9 a.m. Feb. 5.

According to court records, they were indicted on 11 total charges and must pay $5,000 restitution.

Cynthia Ramos is accused of taking the patient to her bank and pilfering $2,500 from her checking account. Subsequently, Alberto Ramos allegedly tried to purchase a home theater system from Wal-Mart with the victim's credit card. They also tried buy hardware from Home Depot with the card.

Rachiele said the victim's family favored resolving the case. The victim has advanced Alzheimer's and would have encountered difficulties with a trial, the prosecutor said.

"I never like to see the elderly exploited," she said. "They're a population ripe for scams. We always try to aggressively prosecute these cases, but take into account the victim's physical condition."

During the proceedings, the duo admitted to District Judge Donald Mosley that they had conspired to take advantage of their patient. At one point, Cynthia Ramos tried to interject that the money in question was for a deposit, but Mosley reminded her that she had entered a guilty plea. She also apologized for her actions.

Under the agreement, the pair must additionally give up ownership of the TLC Loving Care Alzheimer's Facilities I and 2, located on Emden and Skipjack drives, respectively.

"We want to send a message that you cannot exploit the elderly," Rachiele said.