Contractor Steals Half a Million Dollars from Two Elderly Clients
Photo: William Edward Hail III
PETALUMA – A contractor, under the guise of helping two elderly clients, instead stole over half of a million dollars from them. Now he has been found guilty for his crimes.
44-year-old William Edward Hail III is a licensed plumber who now faces the prospect of up to seven years in jail.
The first victim was a man who contracted Hail to install “solar panels and a wind turbine.” He also was supposed to help an 83-year-old female acquaintance.
Each victim paid Hail more than $325,000. Their jobs should have cost $41,000 and $81,000. At Hail’s trial, an industry executive confirmed these amounts.
The suspect’s records revealed that, after depositing the money into his personal account, he took vacations, enjoyed various entertainment and restored classic cars.
A jury found Hail guilty of two counts of elder theft, tow counts of diversion of construction funds and one count of perjury.
Hail’s sentence will be handed down in January.
