Texas Jury Finds Retired Cop Guilty of Defrauding Elderly Widow

A Bastrop County jury has found retired Bastrop police officer Patrick Amy guilty of financially exploiting an 81-year-old widow, awarding $1,001,489 in damages. The civil case, which began on August 12, revealed that Amy gained control of the woman's financial assets through a power of attorney agreement, including a $125,000 lien on his own home. [https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/08/16/bastrop-police-officer-found-defrauding-widow/9978997001/]

Amy's attorney, Joe Hernandez, disputes the verdict, stating, "there is no evidence to support the jury's verdict," and suggesting that Amy will seek relief in trial and appellate courts.

The plaintiff's attorneys, Joe Grady Tuck and Christopher Kirby, presented evidence of checks totaling $16,100 from the woman to Amy before December 2017, when she signed the power of attorney. Amy then released the lien and used the power of attorney to quitclaim the woman's home to himself. [https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/08/16/bastrop-police-officer-found-defrauding-widow/9978997001/]

Tuck stated that Amy's wife, Ruth, a 911 dispatcher, had the victim hospitalized in May 2018, where she was diagnosed with dementia and placed in a nursing home. The Amys claimed to have sold or donated the woman's belongings, including a $12,000 dining room set, but could not provide receipts.

The jury's verdict included actual and exemplary damages and attorney fees, holding Amy accountable for his financial exploitation of the elderly widow.