Jaime Corpus stood before a judge Tuesday as just feet away sat the son of one of his alleged victims.
"It was quite alarming to see him. It brought back a lot of memories," said Robert Schneiderman, son of 98-year-old victim Alan Schneiderman.
Robert said his father trusted Corpus, who was his caregiver at Villa Valencia in Laguna Hills. Corpus, 44, is a nursing assistant accused of stealing several thousand dollars from Schneiderman and two other seniors, including a 93-year-old woman, who were in his care.
"He took this very personally. To make it 98 years and then to have somebody violate you at the time you can't defend yourself, that' s a despicable act," said Robert Schneiderman.
Authorities allege surveillance video shows Corpus using the 98-year-old's credit cards at a store in Santa Ana. He's also seen at an ATM withdrawing money. Authorities allege Corpus used the seniors' credit cards at other businesses.
Police arrested Corpus in June after Schneiderman reported discrepancies on his father's credit-card bills.
"I can't comment on whether he did it or not," said Corpus's defense attorney, Alessandro Assanti.
Assanti won't go into detail, but says he is considering a possible plea.
"My client at this point has the possibility of making these victims whole as far as restitution," said Assanti.
Schneiderman says restitution is not good enough. His father passed away last month. His final days were consumed with such paranoia that Schneiderman moved his father closer to him in Arizona.
"He was very untrusting of any caregiver, he didn't know what anybody's motive was," said Schneiderman.
Authorities say Corpus was terminated after his arrest. In a statement, Villa Valencia said: "We take our commitment to our residents and families seriously and do not tolerate inappropriate activity in our community."
Corpus is expected to return to court on November 1. Schneiderman says he too will be there for the sake of his father.
