Pocono News Section

I-Team: Owner of Wyoming Homes Arrested

I-Team: Owner of Wyoming Homes Arrested - Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 5:43PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 @ 05:43pm EST
HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY- Months after the I-Team blew the whistle on Wyoming Homes, its owner has turned himself in.

In June we told you about a family left homeless after paying the home dealer nearly $60,000. When we first reported the story in June, owner Dave Valenti promised to pay the family back in a week. He never did.

And Tuesday the Wayne County District Attorney filed felony charges against the businessman who’s been selling homes in this area for decades.

Valenti tried to avoid cameras and reporters as he turned himself in at Wayne County Court Tuesday afternoon. It's a day his alleged victims have been hoping for. Wendy Agolia said, “I'm very happy and again I want to cry because this is possibly all over."

Wendy and Mike Agolia came to the courthouse in Honesdale to see Valenti charged. They've been picketing his Honesdale office every day since May. Mike added, “I'm happy its something positive going in the right direction."

In June the I-Team showed how the Agolia's have been living - in a camper without power or running water. They say they paid Valenti $57,000 for a modular home. As the I-Team uncovered two months ago, Valenti never ordered it. “It’s ripped us apart. It's caused anxiety, stress and a lot of tension,” said the Agolias.

Valenti's charged with three felonies including theft by deception and forgery for a second incident. But whether the Agolia's will see their money is something District Attorney Mike Lihutsky couldn't answer. “In terms of being able to speak to what the financial conditions of Wyoming Homes or Dave Valenti may be is not my position."

Meanwhile Mike's grateful the I-Team exposed Wyoming Homes so that others won't fall victim. “With your help you've been tremendous. You've been a pillar here," said the Agolias of Consumer Reporter Jeff Chirico.

Valenti is out on $50,000 unsecured bail. He had to turn over his passport so he can't leave the country. He's scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday morning.