Lang
3/9/22
A Clinton woman faces charges that she scammed an elderly Iowa City resident in a home repair scheme.
Iowa City Police say between March of 2016 and August of 2017 47-year-old Penny Layne Witt offered to do tree trimming for the victim. Once that was completed, Witt and a co-defendant then offered to do home repair work for the person. The two allegedly told the person about structural deficiencies and other repairs that needed to be done to the house, and the two started repair work on an unfinished basement.
Witt and her alleged accomplice reportedly failed to get the necessary permits, and a building inspector later said the finished work did not meet code. The two also allegedly produced receipts for work that was either never done or never completed.
Police estimate the victim paid Witt and her accomplice over $366,000. Witt had also allegedly convinced the victim that she could sue the homebuilder to recoup any money owed.
Witt is charged with 1st Degree Theft, a Class C Felony punishable by a maximum of ten years in prison.