Crime & Safety

Home Improvement Fraud Alleged in Freemansburg

Wilson borough man took $37,000 in payments for house renovations that were never completed, police say.

A Wilson borough man is accused of taking $37,000 in payments for a series of renovations to a Freemansburg home that were never actually done, according to police.

Jerry D. Allen, 41, of 2440 Front St., is facing six felony counts—three for home improvement fraud and three more for theft—as a result of his alleged misrepresentations to the house’s owner that the work had been done, according to court papers.

The alleged victim told police that he bought the house in the 200 block of Juniata Street as an investment in September 2011. Two months later, he hired Allen to perform renovations, the arrest warrant says.

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The alleged victim told police he made four separate payments—a total of $37,000—to Allen based on representations that the work had been done, the affidavit says. But in April 2012, Allen stopped returning the property owner’s telephone calls.

The victim then contacted another person to check on the property and that person informed the victim that the work had not been done, police said.

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Allen was arraigned Tuesday, Christmas Eve afternoon, before on-duty District Judge James Narlesky of Hanover Township, and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $35,000 bail.


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