Delaware News

Attorney General’s Office Arrests Two for Thefts from Delaware Consumers

Department of Justice | Date Posted: Thursday, August 2, 2012



Residents statewide allegedly defrauded out of more than $100,000.

Wilmington — Attorney General Beau Biden today announced the recent arrests of two suspects for theft following separate investigations by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit:

·         On July 16, William Harrison (booking photo copied below), a Kent County owner of a paving company, was indicted for seven counts of felony theft, five counts of attempted theft, and a misdemeanor offensive touching charge.  The charges stemmed from his paving business, which he operates under the name of “Pro Paving.”  The Attorney General’s investigation was initiated after receiving complaints from homeowners who hired Harrison to pave their driveways.  Ten of the alleged offenses occurred in New Castle County and one each occurred in Kent and Sussex Counties.  The indictment is based on allegations that Harrison promised discounts he did not provide, charged undisclosed large fees, and ignored homeowners’ directions related to the extent of paving projects.  Harrison turned himself in to Capitol Police on July 23 in was released on $6,500 unsecured bail.  His arraignment in New Castle County Superior Court is set for August 3.

·         On July 19, Kathleen Welling (booking photo attached) was arrested on felony theft charges connected to her receipt of over $100,000 in cash and property from Delaware victims.  Welling, who also used the name “Kas Graziano,” is charged with convincing two Sussex County victims to give her cash to invest in Oceanside Motors, LLC, a car dealership business, and convincing one of the victims to secure her use of a car.  The Department of Justice investigation, which was initiated after multiple complaints were received, concluded that Oceanside Motors was not a legitimate business.  Welling, age 43, of Rehoboth Beach, waived her July 25 Preliminary Hearing and is being held on $55,000 bond at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution.

“Criminals who target homeowners in fraudulent schemes rob those innocent consumers not only of their resources, but their sense of trust and security, as well,” said Attorney General Biden. “As victims struggle to recover from these devastating schemes, we will continue to aggressively prosecute the perpetrators and secure justice.”

The investigations into both cases are continuing.  Consumers who may have information to provide to investigators in these cases are urged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-220-5424.

The Delaware Department of Justice reminds the public that an indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a jury trial at which the State bears the burden of proving each charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Attorney General’s Office Arrests Two for Thefts from Delaware Consumers

Department of Justice | Date Posted: Thursday, August 2, 2012



Residents statewide allegedly defrauded out of more than $100,000.

Wilmington — Attorney General Beau Biden today announced the recent arrests of two suspects for theft following separate investigations by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit:

·         On July 16, William Harrison (booking photo copied below), a Kent County owner of a paving company, was indicted for seven counts of felony theft, five counts of attempted theft, and a misdemeanor offensive touching charge.  The charges stemmed from his paving business, which he operates under the name of “Pro Paving.”  The Attorney General’s investigation was initiated after receiving complaints from homeowners who hired Harrison to pave their driveways.  Ten of the alleged offenses occurred in New Castle County and one each occurred in Kent and Sussex Counties.  The indictment is based on allegations that Harrison promised discounts he did not provide, charged undisclosed large fees, and ignored homeowners’ directions related to the extent of paving projects.  Harrison turned himself in to Capitol Police on July 23 in was released on $6,500 unsecured bail.  His arraignment in New Castle County Superior Court is set for August 3.

·         On July 19, Kathleen Welling (booking photo attached) was arrested on felony theft charges connected to her receipt of over $100,000 in cash and property from Delaware victims.  Welling, who also used the name “Kas Graziano,” is charged with convincing two Sussex County victims to give her cash to invest in Oceanside Motors, LLC, a car dealership business, and convincing one of the victims to secure her use of a car.  The Department of Justice investigation, which was initiated after multiple complaints were received, concluded that Oceanside Motors was not a legitimate business.  Welling, age 43, of Rehoboth Beach, waived her July 25 Preliminary Hearing and is being held on $55,000 bond at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution.

“Criminals who target homeowners in fraudulent schemes rob those innocent consumers not only of their resources, but their sense of trust and security, as well,” said Attorney General Biden. “As victims struggle to recover from these devastating schemes, we will continue to aggressively prosecute the perpetrators and secure justice.”

The investigations into both cases are continuing.  Consumers who may have information to provide to investigators in these cases are urged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-220-5424.

The Delaware Department of Justice reminds the public that an indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a jury trial at which the State bears the burden of proving each charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

# # #

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.