Minnesota Contractor Cops Plea In Swindle Of Elderly Couple

The Star Tribune reports that building contractor Richard D. Gurewitz, of Home Update Co., pleaded guilty Monday to swindling an elderly Minneapolis couple out of $789,000 while remodeling their tiny house, which had a market value of $102,000. Authorities say that Gurewitz could account for less than $80,000 in materials and other expenses. The victims lived for the past two years with ripped-out walls, code violations and structural hazards. The husband, 79, suffers from Alzheimer's disease and is now living in a nursing home. The wife passed away in December at age 82. For more, see Contractor pleads guilty to swindling elderly couple in remodel.