Home Improvement Business Owner charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretense

On August 5, 2022, Joseph Oswald Civitello age 66 of Morganton was arrested by Morganton Department of Public Safety for Exploitation of the Elderly and Obtaining Property by False Pretenses.  Civitello owns and operates Joseph’s Home Improvements in Morganton, NC. 

The victim, a 102 year old World War II Navy veteran, filed a report with Morganton Department of Public Safety after he had hired and paid Civitello to complete various home renovations.  Subsequently, Civitello didn’t complete the job as per his written contract with the victim.  The investigation revealed numerous civil complaints against Civitello’s company, the majority involving exploiting elderly adults, many were awarded money owed; however, no payments have been made to date by Civitello. 

Civitello has had multiple warrants for arrest for Failure to Work after being Paid N.C.G.S. 14-104.  If anyone has had similar incidents involving Joseph’s Home Improvements, please contact your jurisdictional police department to discuss possible criminal violations of general statues. 

Civitello received a $10,000 secure bond and has an initial court appearance on Monday August 8, 2022 in Burke County District Court.

As a reminder, all persons are presumed innocent until found guilty by a court of law.