East Huntingdon man facing more fraud charges over money taken for work not done

Home improvement fraud charges keep racking up against an East Huntingdon man who was arrested Monday in connection with nearly $49,000 taken from eight Westmoreland County residents.

It’s the 10th such case filed against him in Westmoreland and Fayette counties in the past year, according to online court records.

Jason Ray Pirl, 41, who operates Proline Painting, posted $50,000 bail Monday on eight home improvement fraud charges filed by Westmoreland County detectives.

In court papers, investigators said residents in Hempfield, East Huntingdon, Rostraver, Penn and South Huntingdon townships and Scottdale reported giving Pirl thousands in deposits for projects at their homes, ranging from a new roof to painting work. Pirl did not perform any work for them and refused to return money except in one instance. Police said one would-be customer did get a partial repayment after contacting an attorney.

The incidents ranged from January 2020 to March 2021 and each resident said Pirl provided numerous excuses including weather conditions, a heart attack and death in the family, according to court papers. He told authorities that the money was used for personal expenses.

Pirl is awaiting action in several criminal cases, according to online court records. Police believe he has taken roughly $116,000 from residents in Westmoreland County, according to court papers. In the most recent case, a March 23 preliminary hearing is set. His attorney could not immediately be reached.