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Charges continue to mount against Michael William Bloom, the owner of the Keystone Lift and Elevator Co. at 1203 Penn St., according to court records filed at the office of District Judge Aaron Biichle by the state Attorney General's Office. Already convicted in Luzerne County of theft by deception and home improvement fraud in cases dating back to 2021, Bloom now faces identical felonies and additional charges after two additional victims have come forward, court records have stated.
Bloom, who turns 45 next week, of 426 Brandon Ave., is alleged to have deceived an elderly Cogan Station couple of $2,500 which they submitted in late October 2021 as a down payment for an elevator that was supposed to be installed in their home, investigators said. The couple and Bloom signed a contract, however, the couple later learned that Bloom's contractor registration had been revoked, and attempts to get a refund have been futile ever since, investigators said.
A Connecticut man and his wife are out $9,520 which they gave to Bloom's company (via a credit card) on Oct. 20, 2021 as a down payment for an elevator for their home, investigators said. A contract was signed that day, but five days later, the couple "wanted to cancel the contract" after learning that "Bloom and his company were allegedly in trouble for fraud," an affidavit stated. The very next day, Oct. 26, Bloom's credit card payment of $9,520 "was electronically deposited into Bloom's bank account, investigators said.
"Bloom has ignored communication" from the victims and has refused to return their deposits, investigators alleged. He recently was arraigned before Biichle on felony charges of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, home improvement fraud, deceptive business practices and theft. He remains jailed in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.