Imagine being told to pay rent on a home you’ve owned for years. That’s what happened to 84-year-old Sam Cormier, a longtime Houston resident who says his nightmare started with one unexpected notice—and only got worse.
Soon after that, Cormier learned that all eight of his properties, worth over $1.1 million, had been fraudulently sold without his knowledge. A $1 million loan had been taken out using those properties as collateral, and he was left with nothing.
A Shocking Phone Call and a Heartbreaking Discovery
Cormier told Houston’s KPRC 2 that he was stunned when he first spoke to the company demanding rent.
“I said, ‘No, I didn’t sell my property.’ And the woman on the phone said, ‘Well, your properties are now owned by this company.’ I said, ‘What!’”
It turns out the deeds to all eight properties had been transferred—and Cormier says it was done without his consent.
Who’s Responsible?
Cormier believes he was targeted by a former girlfriend, who he claims is nearly 30 years younger than him. While she hasn’t been publicly named, Cormier and his friend Kevin Williams say she forged the deeds and used them to get a large lump sum loan.
“She took the deeds and got a lump sum loan against them, because all the properties were paid off,” Williams explained.
Cormier says all the properties were then liquidated and sold at auction, split among multiple buyers.
“It’s Traumatic,” Says Cormier
For Cormier, the ordeal has been emotionally and physically devastating.
“I lost my money, I’m losing my voice, I’m losing my health,” he said. “It’s really hard. This is traumatic.”
He believes his age made him a target, and experts say property theft in Houston can happen shockingly easily.
How Easy Is It to Steal Property?
According to a local attorney interviewed by KPRC, all it takes is a notarized document and $20 to file a new deed in Harris County.
“You just walk into a county office with a document and a notary stamp and you can record a new deed,” the lawyer explained.
The best protection? Keep a close watch.
Advice for property owners:
- Check your property records online every six months
- Visit or drive by your properties regularly
- Look for signs of illegal occupancy or tampering
Legal Action Underway
Houston Police have finished their investigation and are expected to submit criminal charges to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Meanwhile, a civil case against the lender who provided the questionable loan is still ongoing.
The story has sparked strong reactions online, with many calling for tougher laws, better safeguards for elderly homeowners, and justice for Cormier.
“This is so EVIL!!! She’s gotta pay,” one commenter wrote on YouTube.
Others warned about dating younger individuals with hidden motives.
“Stop dating outside your age group. That woman should be in jail for elder abuse,” another wrote.