Home inspector swindles 100K+ from 90 year old woman

**Michael Thomas** · 02-25-2010, 09:08 PM

A 69-year-old Hemet businessman is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow in connection with the theft of more than $100,000 from a 90-year-old woman, according to Riverside County sheriff's officials and jail records.

Gary Lee Wickham was arrested at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday for investigation of financial elder abuse and theft by false pretenses. He is being held this morning at Southwest Detention Center on $122,000 bail.

Wickham was taken into custody when investigators served search warrants seeking financial records at his home along the 3300 block of Park Avenue and at his business, A-Z Home Inspection, along the 4400 block of Florida Avenue...

Man accused of bilking 90-year-old woman | Inland News | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

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**John Kogel** · 02-25-2010, 09:26 PM

But he is certified by INACHI to inspect your house.

Just don't bring Granny to the inspection.

**Ken Rowe** · 02-25-2010, 11:10 PM

A-Z Home Inspection Services

**Michael Thomas** · 02-26-2010, 05:22 AM

"The most economical inspections available by a certified inspector"

**Vern Heiler** · 02-26-2010, 05:35 AM

Pretty sketchy information! He has not been convicted, just accused!

**Raymond Wand** · 02-26-2010, 05:37 AM

More like 'Certified Scumbag'!

**Dan Harris** · 02-26-2010, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Vern Heiler

Pretty sketchy information! He has not been convicted, just accused!

It looks like ole nicko already tried and convicted him.
He was banned from nickos club the same day it was posted on TIJ.

**Dan Harris** · 02-26-2010, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

"The most economical inspections available by a certified inspector"

If he only took Brians cost of doing business course.

**H.G. Watson, Sr.** · 02-26-2010, 01:33 PM

MURRIETA - Felony charges were filed today against a Hemet felon accused of bilking a 90-year-old victim out of more than $100,000 and suspected of doing the same to other senior citizens.

Arraignment is scheduled this afternoon for Gary Lee Wickham, 69, who is charged with embezzlement by a non-caretaker of a dependent adult and using false pretenses.

He also faces allegations of taking, destroying or damaging property; committing white-collar crime of more than $100,000; and having prior felony convictions and a "strike."

Investigators suspect there may be similar cases involving Wickham, who was arrested at his Hemet business on Tuesday and is being held in lieu of $122,000 bail.

Search warrants were served Tuesday at his home in the 3300 block of Park Avenue and his business, A-Z Home Inspection, in the 4400 block of Florida Avenue, said sheriff's Sgt. Stephen Mike.

Financial records were seized at both locations, Mike said.

Wickham is accused of befriending the elderly victim and fraudulently obtaining money, starting last year, the sergeant said.

Wickham, who also goes by the names of Ron J. McBeath and Fary Lee Wickham, pleaded guilty in June 2001 to grand theft charges in four different cases, ranging from 1998 to 1998, according to court records.
He was sentenced to four-year terms in three of the cases and three years in the other, with all time to be served concurrently. Most of the cases were out of Riverside, though one was prosecuted in Banning, according to records.

Anyone who had business dealings with the suspect was asked to call sheriff's investigators at (951) 487-7368.

Felony charges filed against Hemet man accused of bilking 90-year-old of $100K :: The Valley News

**Jerry Peck** · 02-26-2010, 08:16 PM

Some people will go to great links to try to put California and Florida together in a bad thing ...

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

according to Riverside County

along the 4400 block of Florida Avenue...

Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

Jeez, as though Florida does not create enough bad rap on its own.

**Randy Aldering** · 02-28-2010, 07:01 AM

Gees.

**H.G. Watson, Sr.** · 08-05-2010, 11:24 AM

The company and its activities were not implicated.

From a story on February 25th:

Though the victim was met through his business, police have not linked the fraud charges to the company itself.

Brenda Smith said she and her husband have taken the company over under new management and the business was not involved in any illegal activity.

Following Wickham's arrest Tuesday, police said four additional victims have come forward claiming to have been swindled.

UPDATE: June 25, 2010:

Hemet home inspector's guilty plea nets prison time

A Hemet home inspector has pleaded guilty to one felony charge of defrauding elderly investors of $120,000.

Gary Lee Wickham was sentenced to 16 years in state prison for taking funding under false pretenses. An elder abuse embezzlement charge was dismissed as part of the plea deal, according to court records.

Wickham was accused of taking funding from a 90-year-old investor in exchange for a series of promissory notes for investment scams since 2007, sheriff's officials said.

Wickham befriended investors through his Valle Vista Business A-Z Home inspections, but the company was not linked to the fraud, police said.

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