A Westport man whose actions police called deplorable has pleaded not guilty to scamming his mentally retarded neighbor by taking his money during poker games and using the neighbor's credit card to make purchases.
Michael Cote, 44, was charged with larceny over $250 by false pretenses, larceny from a disabled person, and possession of marijuana after police searched his apartment. He was ordered held on $2,500 bail during his arraignment Thursday in Fall River District Court, according to a spokesman for the Bristol district attorney's office.
Cote lived next door to the disabled man in an apartment building and allegedly invited him over to play card games.
During the card games, Cote's girlfriend would frequently end up winning the money, said Sergeant Jeff Majewski.
The disabled man told police that Cote would also often borrow money - he said it totaled between $400 and $500 - that was never repaid.
"He's just a deplorable human being, this guy," said Majewski.
"Whether or not it's the holiday season, to take advantage of someone like this, it's pathetic."
During one game Nov. 6, Cote asked to see the man's wallet and found a Sears charge card, police said.
Cote drove the man to a local Sears and helped him sign up for a new charge card when they discovered it was inactive. During that shopping trip, Cote purchased $500 worth of items for himself using the man's card, police said.
Cote took the man to the Sears the next day and purchased $200 worth of items on the man's card and had some of the items gift wrapped at the store, said Majewski.
Cote took the man to the Sears late last month for a third shopping trip and made more purchases, including an Xbox 360, a DVD player, and DVDs.
"They pretty much share a wall, so who knows to what extent this has gone," said Majewski. "It still might unravel a little further as we go."
Police said Cote was also arrested about two months ago when police caught him trying to steal copper from a local business. The case is still pending, Majewski said.
