ST. PETERSBURG - An unlicensed painter has been arrested and charged with exploiting a 75-year-old woman.
Richard James Niger, 38, owner of Angel's Painting, was released from the Pinellas County Jail on Monday after posting $5,000 bail. Investigators say Niger altered a check written by Gloria Roberts, who talked with Niger about painting two of her St. Petersburg homes.
Bob Stinson, a state attorney investigator, said Roberts wrote Niger a check for $3,500, but that Niger changed the amount to $43,500. Investigators say they traced the $43,500 to Niger's bank account but couldn't recover the money.
Investigators also say Niger took Roberts' signature and pasted it on a contract for work and to sell one of her houses to him. Roberts told investigators she never saw or signed any such contract.
