More Details Emerge On How Ex-Cop Swindled Lower Bucks Co. Woman: DA

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Carlito Cortez was a married man living in Richboro with his wife. But authorities said he moved into the home of an elderly Langhorne woman he was trying to swindle for a few weeks.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office described the relationship between Cortez and the victim he is accused of trying to deceive into signing her last will and testament to gain control of her more than $500,000 estate.

Cortez was employed as a part-time officer in both Langhorne Borough and Yardley Borough. Public records indicate he worked in Yardley from 2013 to 2023 and in Langhorne since 2016 until he resigned in 2024.

Authorities said he used his position to betray the trust of the victim.

He was charged with theft by deception, perjury, execution of documents of deception, false swearing, official oppression, theft, and receiving stolen property, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office said.

During this time, Cortez, who also worked as a contractor, offered to do home repairs for the victim, but most projects were left unfinished.

Near the end of 2022, Cortez talked the victim into getting in-home nursing care and arranged for a woman with whom he was also having an affair to become her caretaker.

The victim paid this woman $2,900 over four months before the victim told her that she did not need her services any longer. The investigation found the woman was not a nurse and was not licensed or insured as a caregiver.

Around the same time, Cortez began discussing with the victim the possibility of him becoming her power of attorney. They had multiple conversations about this, and Cortez enlisted a friend to vouch for him. This friend contacted the victim, describing Cortez as a trustworthy family man.

Shortly thereafter, Cortez presented the victim with documents he had printed online for her signature, authorities said. The victim stated she was interested in granting Cortez medical power of attorney, but not financial power of attorney or the beneficiary of her estate.

After signing the papers, she noticed the words "last will and testament." Cortez rushed off and told her he would send her a copy, which he never did.

In May 2023, Cortez moved into the victim’s home for a few weeks. He kept personal belongings at her home, including his police uniforms and equipment, but would also return to his home in Richboro, where he lived with his wife.

A search of Cortez's Richboro home in October 2024 revealed two older wills and testaments belonging to the victim, which she stated she had not authorized him to possess.

When questioned about a more recent last will and testament that the victim said he fraudulently induced her to sign, Cortez provided inconsistent information regarding its whereabouts, and it was never found.

During his testimony before a Bucks County Grand Jury last week, authorities said Cortez lied about how he obtained the victim’s wills and what became of the newer will.