KZTV

Posted: Feb 11, 2010 5:37 PM
Updated: Feb 11, 2010 5:49 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - Maria Eyrlas says she is the caregiver and power of attorney for her cousin Simplicio Garcia. We're told Garcia has dementia, and that's why Eyrlas was shocked to find out Garcia wrote thousands of dollars worth of checks to a repairman without her knowledge.

"11-thousand dollars to do this little paint job, and patch the roof? I don't think so," Eyrlas said.

Garcia's house is freshly painted, but there are still rotting boards on the house, and that's something that was supposed to be fixed according to a receipt that was written by Rick Mason. It also says the roof would be repaired, but we're told that hasn't been done either.

"I was upset that somebody could do something to a person that is sick," Eyrlas said.

Eyrlas says it's still unclear how Mason got into contact with Garcia. All that is clear is the fact thousands of dollars in checks were cashed from Garcia's bank account.

"Well he doesn't remember. This morning I came and told him what happened, and he was kind of upset, but he says he didn't remember,"  Eyrlas said.

When Action 10 News asked Garcia how he felt about the situation, he said "well stupid. I feel bad."

Eyrlas has contacted Mason to ask for the money back.

"I said you just take whatever it took to paint the house and that's it," she said.

But for now the money is gone, not all the repairs have been made and, we're told by tomorrow Garcia won't remember any of it.

We left a message for Mason, however he has not returned our call.  Action 10 News will follow up.