Realtor Exploits Florida Couple, Takes Victim Off Life Support & Steals $1.6 Million in Assets

Photo by Volusia Sheriff's Office | Press Release

Finding a realtor you trust can be difficult enough as it is, but after hearing this story, one may become even more selective in who they work with when looking to sell their properties, as an area realtor has been arrested by the Volusia Sheriff's Office (VSO) for exploiting a sick elderly couple in Ormand Beach.

According to a press release from VSO, Jason Valiant, 45, not only exploited the couple, but he also signed a Do Not Resuscitate order for one of his victims — who was taken off life support the very next day — and quickly seized their assets valued at $1.6 million for himself.

When both victims got sick and ended up hospitalized with deteriorating health, Valiant forged fraudulent documents that would make himself their Health Care Surrogate and Power of Attorney. The 'Scumbag Realtor' proceeded to drain money from the couple's bank accounts, willed their home and 2 other properties to himself, and even took their Dodge Ram pickup truck for his own personal use across Central Florida.

Instead of working to sell the properties as the Ormand Beach couple had originally hired him for, VSO state that Valiant appeared to have provided his victims with a handful of fake lowball offers — including one from his own company.

Photo by Volusia Sheriff's Office | Press Release

In addition to the thousands of dollars that were stolen via checks, Valiant also went on a spending spree using the couple's credit card for luxuries and outstanding bills of his own, including attorney's fees, a teeth whitening procedure, auto detailings, fancy dinners, drinks, and gas.
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The 3 properties Valiant acquired after the victim's death totaled $1.6 million, according to property appraiser valuations. Two of the properties were oceanfront plots on Flagler Beach, which Valiant and another area realtor, Constance Kellner, also known as 'Coastal Connie,' spoke of developing into a large condo complex or hotel.

Kellner is charged with two counts of being an accessory after the fact. Investigations revealed that she was fully aware of Valiant's scheme and even helped him with the creation of the fraudulent Power of Attorney and Life Estate Deed documents.

Photo by Volusia Sheriff's Office | Press Release

​Valiant was arrested on Friday, December 6, 2024 by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and 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.
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"My hope is he spends the holidays in a cell for what he did to two people at their most vulnerable," said Sheriff Mike Chitwood.

Valiant was booked into the Volusia County Department of Corrections on December 13, 2024, with his bond set at $375,000. As of publication, he still remains behind bars.

Article by Rachael Volpe