MD Man Scams 66-Year-Old Woman, Leads to Loss of Her Home

(Neal Augenstein/WTOP)

A Maryland man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after he swindled a longtime public school aide out of her money by promising to get her a more affordable mortgage payment — for a home she eventually lost.

Patricia Duckett, 66 years of age, was planning to retire when her hairdresser referred her to William Wayland, claiming he could help her save money in house payments.

Ms. Duckett did nothing wrong,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. “She just sought to reduce her mortgage payments, and she entrusted someone who swindled her out of her hard-earned money.”

Wayland told Duckett that he could help her get her loan modified to lower her monthly mortgage payments; seemingly, he would accomplish this by dealing with her mortgage payments himself, requiring payment of over $7,000 for his services and handling all correspondence with her bank.

When Duckett began receiving notices for foreclosure of her home, Wayland reassured her that he was working closely with the mortgage companies. In the end, Wayland lost her home.

“If you come after our seniors, we will come after you,” Braveboy said. “For someone to callously take something that was so precious — it is our job to seek justice.”

Wayland was convicted last month on charges of theft, not providing a contract, and taking money before rendering services. He was sentenced Friday.

Duckett was present at Wayland's sentencing; she is currently living with a family member.

True justice would be for Ms. Duckett to have her home back,” said Braveboy. “True justice would be for her to never have been swindled in the first place, but what we can deliver is accountability.”

Assistant State’s Attorney, Drew Grigg, revealed that Wayland was not a first-time offender — a Baltimore judge in an previous civil case had ordered him not to give mortgage advice moving forward.

LaShawn Sidbury, Duckett’s daughter-in-law, had stern words for those who would exploit vulnerable seniors: “It’s not right. Enough is enough. Stop it.”