Acworth Contractor Sentenced for Exploitation

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An Acworth contractor will be spending several months in jail after pleading guilty to charges of exploiting an elderly couple for work he did not perform on their home, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

The elderly couple thought that James Stephen Lally, 39, was going to build a patio and outdoor fireplace for their home, and paid him $1,400 for the work he was supposed to do. One of Lally’s workers removed some roots from the yard and materials were delivered for the home, but no further work ever took place. Proseuctors said that Lally spent months delaying and “stringing the couple along.”

Lally pleaded guilty to felony exploitation and misdemeanor theft by deception and was sentenced to 10 years, with five months to serve behind bars and the rest on probation. He must also repay $1,200.

“Being a contractor is a tough job, but that’s no excuse for lies and deception, especially to the elderly,” said ADA Jason Marbutt, who prosecuted the case.