Hawley announces sentencing of contractor accused of home-repair fraud

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley announced on Tuesday that Donald Harralston, 34, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for financial exploitation of the elderly in the Jefferson County Circuit Court.

Hawley said Harralston promised seven Jefferson County homeowners he would perform repairs and roofing but instead took their down payments and then failed to do the work or provide any materials.

Harralston was sentenced to 10 years in prison and is required to pay restitution of $18,156 to the victims once he is released from prison.

“Verdicts like this make clear that those who prey upon the elderly will not get away with it in Missouri,” Hawley said. “My office will continue to protect consumers from scammers, and scammers will continue to be punished for their crimes.”

Hawley suggested homeowners always have a written contract before any work is done, ask for references for past jobs, and never pay cash.

Hawley also suggested residents should check with the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been complaints about the contractor before signing the contract.