GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A caretaker is cleared of any wrongdoing after, Lawrenceville police said, a disabled man told them a string of lies that almost landed an innocent man in jail.
On Monday, Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh learned police were investigating caretaker Ernest Long. He was accused of stealing money from his patient, Alex Lafita, whose home was being foreclosed. Since then, police have said Lafita's financial problems are likely of his own making.
"I still don't understand why he did what he did," Long told Kavanaugh.
Long was baffled after the man he cared for reported him to police. He thought they were close.
"Alex was more than a friend to me. I considered him family," said Long.
Lafita, 53, suffers from a debilitating disease that has left him in a wheelchair. The details of his financial history are unclear, but he lost his home in May and his vehicle was recently repossessed by a pawn shop. Police said he tried to blame it all on Long.
Lafita told police that Long stole his Chrysler, but the caretaker showed Kavanaugh a bill of sale showing he paid $500 for the car, not knowing money was owed to a pawn shop.
Police had taken out warrants for Long's arrest, but investigators said after Channel 2 aired a story about the allegations, Long contacted police. Police said they were lied to and may pursue charges against Lafita.
"He's going to have to answer for his actions," Long said.
WSBTV
