Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of Kim Covello, 62, of Park Ridge, on Theft by Deception and Elder Abuse charges.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit in April 2017, received a complaint regarding suspected elder financial abuse from the Bergen County Board of Social Services Adult Protective Services Unit.
The victim was identified as a 94-year-old Bergen County resident who entrusted Covello with a durable power of attorney.
Officials said in 2014 and 2016, the APS received complaints regarding financial and care-related issues between the victim and Covello. Those complaints were investigated by APS and then turned over to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
During the ensuing investigation, it was determined that Covello obtained Power of Attorney over the victim in 2012 and that between 2012 and 2016, she used in excess of $150,000 of the victim’s money for her own purposes.
According to authorities, Covello’s illicit use of the victim’s money included direct payments to herself and members of her family in violation of the Power of Attorney agreement and the use of the victim’s funds to build an addition on her, Ms. Covello’s, house. As a result of Ms. Covello’s actions, the victim’s funds were completely depleted and the victim is now in need of public assistance financing.
Police arrested Covello on Mar. 29th in Paramus and charged with one count of Theft by Deception with the amount involved is greater than $75,000 and one count of Elder Abuse.
Authorities said Covello is scheduled for a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack on April 18th.
The charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.