Police: Ballston Spa man scammed elderly out of a quarter-million dollars

BALLSTON SPA - Police want to know if John D. Pratt of Middle Line Road has scammed you. Pratt is 42 years old and police say he's made a living of scamming people of their life savings.

"He went up to elderly people's homes and said, 'you need work to be done, whether it's the roof, the ramp or the bathroom,'" says Debra Kaelin, Assistant District Attorney in Saratoga County.

Kaelin says Pratt scammed one couple, who are both in their 80's and in ill health, out of nearly their entire life savings---more than a quarter million dollars, which is about twice what their home is worth.

"He would either take the money and not do the work, or do the work but overcharge for the job."

Kaelin says Pratt charged the couple 40-thousand dollars to install two small ramps to their home.

Pratt is charged with grand larceny and scheming to defraud. Police say there are at least four victims in the Ballston Spa-area that they're aware of.  At least one victim is in her nineties.

Pratt could face up to 15-years in prison if he's convicted and prosecutors are seeking restitution, but have told the victims there's little chance they'll get their money back.

"It makes them very sad, very upset with themselves as well as the system."

Pratt is free on bail. We went to what police say was Pratt's last known address, but no one came to the door. Pratt's attorney, Michael Keenan, says his client has been overcharged and "at worst, this is a civil matter."  Pratt will be arraigned on an indictment on Tuesday.