Suspect Accused Of Scamming Elderly Women To Support Dog Show Hobby Headed To Trial
LATROBE (KDKA) -- A Westmoreland County woman accused of ripping off two elderly women to cover the expenses of her dog show hobby is going to trial.
Ashley Giovannangelo, 22, was dismissive as she walked to her boyfriend's pickup truck Wednesday afternoon. Moments before, she waived criminal conspiracy and theft charges to court.
Giovannangelo: "No, thank you."
KDKA's Ross Guidotti: "Seriously, any idea what may of happened?"
Giovannangelo: "Nope."
Guidotti: "Those ladies trusted you. Did you have anything to do with it, anything at all."
Giovannangelo: "Please back away from our vehicle."
Police say Giovannangelo and 30-year-old Jessica Skacel were hired to help clean the 85-year-old and 83-year-old victims' home. Instead, police say they are accused of cleaning out the elderly women's bank accounts to the tune of $100,000.
"There was one woman who did most of the stealing," said Trooper Stephen Limani, of Pennsylvania State Police.
Investigators say Skacel admitted to as much. Giovannangelo, in turn, was given thousands to help fund her St. Bernard's dog show appearances.
"One of the things they used the money for was to purchase a trailer to take the dogs to shows," said Trooper Limani.
According to court document, Giovannangelo admitting to knowing where the money was coming from but didn't say anything because she was benefiting.
Giovannangelo was released on her own recognizance. She faces a formal arraignment hearing in the next three weeks.
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