DA: Handyman swindled $650,000 from elderly woman

Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 9:04 pm
By: AP

EBENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a 94-year-old western Pennsylvania woman was swindled out of more than $650,000 by a handyman she trusted like a son.
Cambria County prosecutors say 56-year-old Frank Solensky Jr. of Windber charged the woman $950 for driveway salt and sold her seven garage-door openers for $2,500 each. They say that from 2000 to 2008, he had her write checks to him personally and told her that he would get a contractor’s discount for supplies.
The victim, testifying from her wheelchair Monday, says she liked Solensky so much, she once had him listed in her prepared obituary.
Solensky had pleaded guilty in March but withdrew his plea. A trial began Monday.
Information from: The Tribune-Democrat, http://www.tribune-democrat.com.
Published in The Messenger 7.27.10

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