MIAMI – A Miami man faces charges after prosecutors say he exploited an elderly neighbor, draining her finances and taking ownership of her condominium.
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Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced Thursday the arrest of 62-year-old Nilo Somoano, who faces one count each of theft from a person 65 or older valued at more than $50,000, exploitation of the elderly in an amount over $50,000, and an organized scheme to defraud over $50,000. Each charge is a first-degree felony.
Authorities said the victim, an 89-year-old woman who died on Oct. 16, 2021, suffered from severe mental and physical impairments and had required full-time care since at least 2015.
In 2016, Somoano obtained power of attorney over the woman under unclear circumstances, giving him control over her finances, according to investigators.
Detectives said he allegedly used that authority to transfer ownership of her condominium at the Half Moon Towers, located at 5055 NW 7th St., into his name while she was still living there.
Somoano, who has lived in multiple units at Half Moon Towers since 2006, also used the victim’s financial accounts to buy another unit in the building, according to authorities.
Prosecutors say Somoano drained the victim’s $600,000 estate on personal expenses, including sending nearly $14,000 to his wife to pay for cremation services for his brother and godmother, as well as purchases from Costco, Home Depot, and various clothing and specialty stores.
Authorities said none of the services or items benefited the victim, who spent her final days in an adult living facility.
