PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A New York man has been charged with fraud violations and theft for allegedly scamming older adults out of thousands of dollars in a sealant contracting scheme in Delaware County.
Earlier this week, Brookhaven police responded to a call from an older woman who said she had been pressured by a man — 48-year-old John Cassidy of Yonkers — to let him seal her driveway. He asked for $2,400 for the work, but they agreed on $1,200 in cash.
Another man — 23-year-old Thomas Kenny — helped Cassidy appear to complete the project, upon which they demanded $1,400. However, the pair actually only used black spray paint to cover the driveway.
The victim told police that a neighbor had also been pressured by Cassidy. The neighbor did not accept Cassidy’s supposed sealant work, police said, yet he showed up at the man’s house the next day with several others, telling the victim that they had already bought the supplies so they were going to do the work — for a cash payment.
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The same spray paint was used on the neighbor’s driveway. Neither received a signed contract or receipt.
Both victims told police that the man had an Irish accent.
According to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Cassidy, a citizen of Ireland, is living in the U.S. on an expired visa.
Cassidy’s bail was set at $100,000 cash. Authorities are still searching for Kenny.
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Residents with similar experiences are asked to call the Brookhaven Police Department at 610-876-6142.