Rent-to-Own Scam Artist Sentenced to Prison

An Easton man who stole $112,000 from customers through a rent-to-own scheme pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Bristol Superior Court.

Joshua Leventhal, 44, 48 Forest Edge Road of South Easton, was charged with four counts of larceny over $250 and larceny by a single scheme.

He was sentenced to two years with 10 months to serve and the balance suspended for 10 years, during which time he will be on probation, according to a press release from the Attorney General’s office.

Leventhal was ordered to pay full restitution of $112,000 to his victims.

Leventhal was arrested in April of 2012.

Read Patch’s story on Leventhal’s arrest.

Leventhal scammed people across the country by offering to purchase property and then rent it to the victims on a rent to own basis. He would take a “commitment deposit” typically of $1,000 but the transaction would never go through. Many of the victims lost $1,000 to $8,000 through the scheme.

Leventhal contacted people through websites such as Rent 2 Own Connect, Craigslist and www.hslhomes.com.

Leventhal will begin his sentence on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

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