Carlisle, Pa - Police say David Guiliana and his girlfriend, Crista Fox, offered lawn care service to an elderly woman who lives on Mooreland Avenue in Carlisle. Investigators say in a 10 month period they charged her thousands of dollars for what police say was very little work.

"One of the family members of the woman came back from overseas and was going through her records and discovered the astronomical amount she paid," Carlisle police Patrolman Simon Jackson said. "These people ingratiated themselves to her, took advantage of her condition and age, and scammed $12,000 from her."

The couple was arrested at their home in Newport last week and released on unsecured bail. They're charged with with deceptive business practices and theft by deception.

David Guiliana says they've been working for the woman for more than two years. He showed abc27 News the tools and equipment he says he used to work on her yard. "I was having problems getting grass to grow and this bag here is the grass that's growing in her yard now," he said.

Guiliana says his work is legitimate and says the money they collected was for two years of work, not ten months. "I think her sons are worried about an inheritance or something, or who is closer to their mother," Guiliana said. "No one's trying to cut someone's family like that. I'm just gonna have to get a lawyer and take care of it the best we can."

Police are continuing their investigation. "I've seen this kind of thing before, but this is pretty extensive," Jackson said. "She's probably not the only victim."

 Email To Friend