Greenwell Springs man sentenced for exploiting elderly, infirm Watson woman

Gary Gorman

LIVINGSTON — A state district judge sentenced a 43-year-old man Thursday to seven years in prison after he convinced an infirm 75-year-old woman who thought they were in a romantic relationship to give him money and property.

 

Judge Bruce Bennett, of the 21st Judicial District Court in Livingston Parish, also ordered Gary Gorman, of Greenwell Springs, to pay restitution. Gorman was found guilty Oct. 1 of exploitation of the infirmed.

 

Bennett said the restitution totaled at least $260,000.

 

Between August 2009 and May 2011, Gorman preyed on the victim, Gloria Cushing, convincing her they would eventually marry, the District Attorney’s Office has said.

 

Cushing, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia and depression in 2009, gave Gorman $80,000 from a reverse mortgage she took out on her home in Watson.

 

Gorman also received two plots of land from Cushing, maxed out her credit cards, obtained her power of attorney and took $132,000 from an annuity left by her deceased husband, the District Attorney’s Office has said.

 

“I just wanted justice to be served,” said Jo Ann Carr, Cushing’s sister. “It’s been a long, hard road that we have traveled.”

 

Michael Betts, Gorman’s attorney, said he disagreed with the jury’s verdict. He said Gorman did not exercise any “undue influence” on Cushing.

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Greenwell Springs man sentenced for exploiting elderly, infirm Watson woman