Man Says He Really Did Love Older Woman

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A man claims he lost his virginity at 17 to a woman who said she was 28 - but actually was 63 - when they met on the "I Love Older Women" Internet site. Now, after a 12-year relationship and 3 years of marriage, he says his late wife's son is trying to do him out of life insurance money and property he shared with his late wife.

In his complaint in Superior Court, Selvin Ramirez claims met Rita Werle in December 1998 in the Internet chat room. Despite the 35-year difference in her alleged and actual age, Ramirez says, he didn't mind the age gap and the two began dating exclusively. Ramirez claims he had his first sexual experience with Werle.

For the next 9 years, Ramirez says, he and Werle dated on and off. He says Werle was "very possessive," but they loved each other and he "became totally devoted to Rita."

Ramirez claims that Werle put him in her will and told him that she wanted him to have her home in Rancho Palos Verdes. He says she also bought him a home in Burbank, which he later bought from her during a rough patch in the relationship.

He says they got married in 2007 and remained married until she died in January 2010.

During their marriage, Ramirez says, he spent $27,000 of his own money to get Werle's Palos Verdes home out of foreclosure, and he painted the house and repaired it.

"Plaintiff spent a significant amount of his own money paying for things for Rita. The money spent included helping Rita pay for food, utilities, prescription drugs and other personal items," the complaint states.

Now, Ramirez says, his late wife's son, defendant Robert Werle, who has had power of attorney over his mother's estate since 1992, has changed the locks on the Palos Verdes home to keep Ramirez out.

Ramirez claims Robert Werle took his mother's wedding ring off her finger just before she died, had her cremated without talking to Ramirez about it, and had her listed as a widow on her death certificate.

Ramirez says that Prudential Financial, also a defendant, has not honored Werle's life insurance policy in his favor even though the premiums were paid out of the couple's community funds.

Ramirez seeks general and punitive damages, an injunction and the return of all items taken from the couple's home, including a 1972 Datsun and $10,000 in cash.

Ramirez alleges interference with contract through fraud, emotional distress, forcible entry, invasion of privacy and theft by conversion.

He is represented by Timothy Taggart of Riverside.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit