Man defrauds elderly woman of $18,450

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Cheektowaga man pleaded guilty Monday afternoon, to defrauding an 85-year-old woman out of $18,450.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office says Leslie “Les” Ralston repeatedly told the elderly woman that squirrels had damaged her roof, and that he would repair the damage. He admitted that he repeatedly told her he was doing this work, where the was no damage, between December 4th, 2011 and January 18th, 2012.

Ralston pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny, the highest charge he could have been convicted of had he gone to trial.

Ralston’s older brother Joseph Ralston is currently serving time over another fraudulent home improvement scheme. Ralston’s father was convicted of home improvement schemes dating back to the 1980’s. He will be sentenced Thursday.