Danville Father, Daughter Accused of Cheating Seniors Face Elder Abuse, Money Laundering Charges

By City News Service:

The owners of a home improvement company accused of ripping off dozens of seniors by selling them customized showers based on bogus claims are scheduled to make their initial court appearances Wednesday in Riverside.

Raj Kamal Suri, 65, and his daughter, 40-year-old Tori Bhavna Suri, both of Danville, were arrested Jan. 8 at locations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Each defendant is charged with 60 felony counts, including financial elder abuse, burglary, forgery, conspiracy and money laundering. Raj Suri is being held in lieu of $1 million at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta. His daughter is being held in lieu of $500,000 at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

The Suris own GreenWorksUS, headquartered in Richmond, with a warehouse in Corona.

According to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, GreenWorksUS sales representatives would visit customers’ homes under the defendants’ supervision, making pitches intended to dupe victims into purchasing “Safeguard Tubs” that were not designed as promised.

The GreenWorksUS website shows the tubs consist of walk-in bathing platforms that require no stepping to access them. Users are able to sit down on a chair or bench to shower or bathe.

The company also advertises kitchen and “hydrotherapy” facilities customized for individuals with physical impediments.

The Contractors State License Board alleges that GreenWorksUS relied on unlicensed contractors to handle business.

“These arrests are an important step in stopping a company whose sole purpose was to victimize unsuspecting or vulnerable consumers,” said CSLB Registrar Cindi Christenson. “This is the result of hundreds, if not thousands, of hours spent by dedicated investigators around California demonstrating how local and state agencies can work closely together to protect the public.”

According to prosecutors, victims reside in both Northern and Southern California.

(Image via Shutterstock)