Man pleads guilty to tricking 71-year-old to pay for $64,000 in unneeded roof repairs

TYLER, Texas (KLTV/Gray News) - A man pleaded guilty Monday after he was accused of tricking a 71-year-old woman into paying $64,000 for roof repairs she didn’t need.

Levy Aaron Lee, 33, pleaded guilty to financial abuse of an elderly person involving $30,000 or more but less than $150,000.

The woman told officials Lee and a co-conspirator told her the roof was unstable and collected six checks and $14,000 cash for the repairs, an affidavit states.

The affidavit says the men caused damage themselves, and “poorly” covered it up with roughly $1,800 worth of paint, roofing tiles and uneven plywood.

Third-party contractors assessed the roof later, testifying that not only were repairs not needed prior to the damage, but four new roofs could be purchased for the $64,000 the victim paid.

On Monday, the state agreed to a plea deal of five years of probation and to Lee repaying the woman $64,000.

A formal sentencing hearing is set for Aug. 27.