Falmouth Man Accused Of Stealing From Elderly Mom

FALMOUTH, MA – An East Falmouth man accused of stealing money from his 89-year-old mother pleaded not guilty in Falmouth District Court Wednesday. Robert Erbetta, 57, is charged with embezzlement or misapplication by a fiduciary and larceny over $1,200.

Erbetta assumed power of attorney for his mother in 2012. She soon after took out a reverse mortgage on her Acapesket Road home, which allowed for money to be taken out as needed, according to the Cape Cod Times. Four years later, she was placed in an assisted-living facility after being diagnosed with dementia.

The mortgage stipulated that the house be sold or the debt be repaid if the person who took it out was no longer a resident. According to the Times, Erbetta allegedly lived in the house with his girlfriend and used his mother's Social Security and reverse mortgage to pay the utilities.

Read more from the Cape Cod Times.

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