Welcome to The Home Equity Theft Reporter, a blog dedicated to informing the consumer public and the legal profession about Home Equity Theft issues. This blog will consist of information describing the various forms of Home Equity Theft and links to news reports & other informational sources from throughout the country about the victims of Home Equity Theft and what government authorities and others are doing about it.
Friday, July 08, 2016
Owner Of Philadelphia-Area Home Inspection Outfit Faces 100+ Criminal Charges For Allegedly Ripping Off At Least 138 Homebuyers By Pocketing Fees For Services He Didn't Perform &/Or Was Not Certified To Perform
From the Office of the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania District Attorney:
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Souderton Police Chief James Leary announce the arrest of Joseph T. Michalski of Souderton for felony theft by deception, receiving stolen property and related charges for defrauding at least 138 home buyers throughout seven counties through his business, Sherlock Homes Inspection Services.
The Montgomery County Detective Bureau was alerted in January 2016 by a realtor and home buyer that Sherlock Homes Inspection Services billed the buyer for water testing that was never performed. The Montgomery County Detective Bureau launched an investigation that revealed that Michalski was selling home inspection services that included water, termite and radon testing.
After examining records from the business, it was determined that 138 victims paid Michalski to perform testing that he did not perform and/or was not certified to perform.
Michalski took more than $18,000 from the victim home buyers in seven counties: Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh and Philadelphia.
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Anyone who contracted with Sherlock Homes Inspection Services to inspect their home should contact Detective Joe Kelly, Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368.
Michalski was charged with Theft by Deception and Receiving Stolen Property as well as 138 counts of performing testing and mitigation that required certification, which is a third-degree misdemeanor.
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