Local

Contractor accused of taking $24K from elderly woman, never finishing job

Swissvale, Pa. — A local contractor is accused of home improvement fraud by a Swissvale woman who cares for her special needs son.

Orlando Frank Sciarretti was supposed to install a new kitchen and redo the bathroom in the home of Mary Smith, 78.

According to investigators, Sciarretti ripped out the kitchen and bathroom, leaving wires exposed in the home.

The job was never finished, but investigators said he cashed all of Smith’s payment checks, amounting to nearly $24,000.

Sciarretti is facing three counts of home improvement fraud in addition to theft by deception and theft of funds.

He told Channel 11 that it is all a misunderstanding.

A formal arraignment is scheduled for next month.