Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said Gitney had used her authority as the man's trustee to steal cash, his $101,000 IRA account, and a house he owned by having it transferred into her name without his knowledge.
After a cousin questioned the house transaction, detectives began an investigation. On Sept. 26, Hatfield Township police charged Gitney with theft, forgery, abusing her trust, and fraud.
When police went to take her into custody, Gitney had already fled the United States. Authorities tracked her to the Philippines using travel documents, Ferman said. Gitney remained hidden there until Tuesday.
"I'm relieved that she is back in the United States," Ferman said Tuesday. "I knew from the beginning of this investigation that we would find her. I'm pleased that it didn't take very long."
Ferman said she did not know what motivated Gitney to return. Gitney did know she was being sought by international authorities, and police had zeroed in on her location in the last several days, Ferman said.
The alleged crimes against Eugene Waldspurger, 57, took place from 2009 to 2011, according to court documents.
Since Gitney's flight, prosecutors have been moving in court to liquidate her property, which will allow them to make restitution to the victim, Ferman said.
The arrest Tuesday was carried out with the aid of the FBI, the Legal Attaché in Manila, and the Philippine National Police.
Ferman said Gitney would likely be returned to Pennsylvania through the federal system and handed over to county authorities for prosecution of the fraud charges.
Contact staff writer Bonnie L. Cook at 610-313-8232 or bcook@phillynews.com.
