- December 12, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
A local real estate agent who Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said exploited an Ormond Beach couple with health issues of $1.6 million of their assets was arrested in Palm Coast on Dec. 5 by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
Chitwood reported that Jason Valiant, 45, of Palm Coast, took control of the couple's assets by becoming their health care surrogate and obtaining a power of attorney, and signed a Do Not Resuscitate order for one of the victims, who died after being taken off life support a day after the order was issued. The couple had hired Valiant to sell their property.
"Unfortunately, they chose a wolf in sheep’s clothing who saw an opportunity to make himself rich," Chitwood said on his Facebook page.
Valiant is reported to have drained money from the couple's bank accounts, willed their home and two other properties — all valued collectively at $1.6 million — to himself and began using their personal pickup truck. He also used one of their credit cards for attorney's fees, a teeth whitening procedure, auto detailing, dinner and drinks and gas.
Two of the properties he acquired were oceanfront Flagler Beach parcels that Chitwood alleges he and another realtor, Constance Kellner, were looking to develop into a condominium complex or hotel. Kellner, a 69-year-old woman from Palm Coast, was arrested on Dec. 6 on two counts of being an accessory after the fact, but she was released on a $25,000 bond.
Valiant has been charged with organized scheme to defraud, exploitation of an elderly or disabled adult, grand theft over $100,000, grand theft of a vehicle, criminal use of personal ID information, and illegal use of credit cards. He remains in the Flagler County jail on a $375,000 bond.
