A reverend from Prince Edward Island is facing additional fraud charges after police allege an elderly widow in Oshawa, Ont., was bilked out of thousands of dollars in a home-repair scheme.
In April, Durham Regional Police charged Rev. Harold Stewart, 66, with fraud under $5,000, unauthorized use of a credit card and possession of stolen property.
They allege that Stewart befriended the 89-year-old widow, who lived alone, and used her credit card without her knowledge.
Police announced four new counts against Stewart Wednesday, along with charges against four other people in connection with the investigation.
Stewart is additionally charged with fraud over $5,000, false pretenses, uttering forged documents and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Police have also arrested an Oshawa contractor investigators say initially contacted the “vulnerable” widow about doing home repairs.
Alexsander Budimirovic, 50, is charged with fraud over $5,000, false pretenses, unauthorized use of a credit card, uttering forged documents, possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000 and four counts of trafficking in credit card data.
Also charged are Oshawa residents Julie Carlson, 49, and Ashley Carlson, 28, with fraud under $5,000, unauthorized use of a credit card and possession of property obtained by crime.
A fifth person, Pasquale Reda, 48 and from Whitby, has been charged with possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000, failure to comply with probation and two counts each of fraud under $5,000 and unauthorized use of a credit card.