A Scranton-based home improvement contractor is facing felony fraud-related charges after allegedly pocketing more than $36,000 for a job he never completed in West Pittston, according to charges filed by Wyoming Area Regional Police.
Alan White, 25, owner of White’s Home Services, LLC, is accused of collecting $36,370 from the victim, Miguel Pereyra, for renovations to a historic home at 516 Exeter Ave.
According to police, Pereyra hired White after seeing an ad on Facebook in February. However, work was slow to progress and White continued asking for more money for additional construction expenses, police said.
In July the pair signed a new contract calling for the job to be completed by Aug. 25, but little to no work was done during those two months, police said.
When police questioned White last month, he said he had “a lot of life issues” going on at the time and that he wanted to make things right with Pereyra, according to police. He also indicated he would repay the money if he could, police said.
Investigators charged White with felony counts of deceptive business practices, theft and receiving payment for work that was not completed.
Court records indicated he had not been arraigned as of Friday.