Mortgage Broker Sentenced For Gutting Home

A former Mercer County mortgage broker will go to jail for gutting his home before a sheriff's sale.

Scott McCuskey of Sharpsville ripped cabinets, toilets, a jacuzzi, locks, garage doors and other items out of his million-dollar home.

Now he will spend three to 15 months in jail and must pay more than $174,000 to an insurance company.

McCuskey was convicted of defrauding creditors and fraud in insolvency in April.

McCuskey unsuccessfully argued to Mercer County Judge Thomas Dobson on Tuesday that he didn't know he couldn't take the items.

His home was collateral on a loan he defaulted on in 2004.

Dobson, noting McCuskey worked as a mortgage broker, didn't accept the argument.

After the home was stripped, it was valued at $180,000.