Phony Landlord Steals $500, Police Say

Late last year, a man handed over a $500 security deposit for an apartment on 11th Street in Easton.

But Easton police say the man claiming to be his landlord didn't actually own the building.

Joseph Marvin Ashley, 55, of Albrightsville in Carbon County, is charged with theft by deception.

According to police, Ashley showed the first-floor apartment at 137 S. 11th St. last November, telling his tenant he could move in Dec. 1.

When December arrived and the tenant learned he didn't have access to the apartment, he contacted Ashley and asked for his money back, police said.

Police spoke to the building's actual owner, who said Ashley had done the same thing with another man.

Court records say police tracked down Ashley, and he admitted to taking money for an apartment he didn't own.

He was arraigned this weekend before on-duty District Judge Daniel Corpora and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail.