Las Vegas man arrested after 95-year-old Henderson woman scammed out of nearly $100,000
Henderson police arrested a Las Vegas man last Thursday in connection with the exploitation of a 95-year-old Henderson woman, officials announced Monday.
Thomas Fico, 59, was arrested after the woman, a military veteran, was scammed out of nearly $100,000.
The scam happened after a landscaper gained the woman’s trust. He performed a few jobs for her at her home over a six-month period, but during the same timeframe, the man also wrote checks to himself from the woman’s checking account and deposited them into his personal accounts.
In addition to the check-writing, the landscaper also “coerced her into becoming the executor of her last will and testament,” police said.
Fico was arrested in connection to the scam last week outside of his Las Vegas home. He was booked in the Henderson Detention Center, where he faces multiple charges of theft, exploitation of an older/vulnerable person and forgery.
Court records show Fico has a history of scam cases, including one in 2006 when he was sentenced to one to four years in prison for theft and actions that consitute theft. According to the Nevada State Contractors Board, Fico was previously on the board’s Top 10 most-wanted list for contracting without a license, including landscaping jobs.
Based on evidence, police said there may be other victims, but as of Monday afternoon none had come forward. Anyone with information about possible victims is encouraged to call police at 702-267-5000.
Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290. Find her on Twitter: @rachelacrosby