From Bill Lindelof
A Connecticut man suspected on numerous scams that authorities said bilked elderly out of at least $500,000 has pleaded no contest in a California court to one felony count and faces up to three years in prison.
George Stanley, 29, of Moosup, Conn., entered a plea Tuesday in Tulare County Superior Court to one count of grand theft by false pretenses, according to a news release from the contractors state license board. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 28.
Criminal cases are also pending against him in Butte, Imperial, San Joaquin, Ventura and Yuba counties on charges that include elder abuse, grand theft, fraud, using another person's contractor license and contracting without a license, the release states.
Contractors State License Board investigators said Stanley and his extended family schemed to defraud home and business owners by stating they had leftover asphalt from another paving job and that they could resurface their driveways or fill potholes for at a "good deal."
The deal ended up costing more than the quoted price and the asphalt work often fell apart shortly after it was completed, investigators said.
Stanley was arrested in Butte County in June, along with cousins Kevin Snow, 22, and George Snow, 19, both of Salisbury Mass, the release states. Authorities confiscated $500,000 in paving equipment.
While all three were out on bail, they are suspected of scamming and drugging an elderly man in East Brandywine Township, Pa., the release states.
The Snows turned themselves in to authorities and then posted bail, while Stanley has requested a hearing because he denies being in Pennsylvania at the time of the scam, the release states.
"These scam artists appear to have no regard for the laws of the state," said Steve Sands, registrar for the state licensing board.
The release offered this tips on how to avoid being scammed:
- Be cautious about so-called good deals, especially when "leftover" materials are to be used.
- Ask to see the contractor's pocket license card and photo identification.
- Verify a contractor's license at www.cslb.ca.gov, www.CheckTheLicenseFirst.com or call (800) 321-2752.
- Don't rush into repairs.
- Don't pay a down payment more than 10 percent or $1,000, which is less.
- Don't pay cash.
- Get at least three bids, check references and get a written contract.
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