Couple allegedly cheated customers

7/16/2011

A couple with ties to Toledo has been indicted by a Lucas County grand jury on charges associated with cheating customers who sought them out through an allegedly false advertisement in the phone book.

Tony Miller, whose age was unavailable, was charged with two counts of theft Thursday by the grand jury. His wife, Gilda, whose age was also unavailable, was charged with two counts of forgery and one count of tampering with records.

Their last known local address was 265 Graham St.

Authorities said that the couple created a business, All Seasons Roofing, and advertised in the phone book to generate customers. On the advertisement was a symbol indicating that they were in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.

According to Assistant County Prosecutor Frank Spryszak, the BBB had never made that designation.

Mr. Miller is charged with taking money from customers to do work that he never completed. Mrs. Miller is charged with one count of forgery for adding the BBB symbol to the advertisement and another count of forgery as well as tampering for submitting false information to the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

If convicted, Mr. Miller faces up to two years in prison and Mrs. Miller faces up to seven years in prison.

Police believe that the couple has swindled other customers who may not be aware that roofing work that they paid for would not be completed. Possible victims are asked to contact police.