From Chelsea Phua:
An unlicensed contractor who was accused of bilking an elderly Sacramento couple of more than $180,000 and leaving their home in shambles will be facing 11 years in prison, authorities said.
According to a news release by the Contractors State License Board, Keith Lidell McGowan, 53, pleaded no contest on Tuesday to several charges, including financial elder abuse. He is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 8 before Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Cheryl Chun Meegan.
McGowan, a "two-strike" convicted felon who had served time in San Quentin for manslaughter, had his license revoked in 1996, authorities said.
McGowan approached Oliver Davis, 89, and his wife Patsy Davis, 70, in 2006 and offered to remodel their property. After collecting $252,650 from the couple and only performing $72,000 of work, McGowan abandoned the project in October 2007.
More than 150 volunteers donated $125,000 worth of materials and labor to help the couple rebuild their home, which they moved into recently.
"While justice has been served on McGowan, it's important to remember that the hardship continues for the victims, Oliver and Patsy Davis," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "It's heart-breaking. Their life savings is gone."
CSLB officials advise consumers to check the license number of contractors on the agency's Web site at www.cslb.ca.gov and not to hire the first contractor who comes along. They also advise consumers to solicit at lease three bids, check references and get a written contract, and don't let payments get ahead of work.
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