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PHIL DAVISA neighbor is accused of exploiting an 86-year-old woman after she was pressured into paying more than $90,000.
NEW PORT RICHEY - For four years, debt collectors told 86-year-old Ruth Wilson she should help cover her neighbor's bills, and she did.
New Port Richey police say Wilson wrote 152 checks for a total of $90,000 to $100,000 to help out her neighbor, who promised to pay her back.
But police say the bill collectors and the promise were a scam.
On Sunday, an officer arrested 57-year-old Craig Wilson of 5103 Muriel Lane in New Port Richey on a charge of exploitation of the elderly. He was being held in the Pasco County jail in lieu of $20,000 bail Monday evening. New Port Richey police Lt. Jeffrey Harrington said the two Wilsons are not related.
Police said Craig Wilson lives just around the corner from Ruth Wilson. Four years ago, Craig Wilson, who is unemployed, asked Ruth Wilson if he could borrow money to pay outstanding workers' compensation bills.
She wrote checks ranging from $40 to $2,600, which were "all signed by the defendant," an arrest report said. The checks added up to more than $90,000, none of which was ever paid back.
"Victim said numerous subjects have called her residence saying they are workman's comp adjusters," an officer wrote. "The victim said the subjects told her that the defendant owed workman's comp money and she should lend him the money to pay the bills."
Ruth Wilson told police she feared Craig Wilson.
In the arrest report, another neighbor told officers she saw Craig Wilson yelling at Ruth Wilson after she told him she couldn't give him more money.
Craig Wilson admitted to officers "he would not be able to pay her back" the report said.
Harrington said the case remains under investigation.