Bedford man accused of bilking neighbours racks up more fraud complaints

Criminal complaints are piling up against a Bedford man already accused of bilking his neighbours out of tens of thousands of dollars, a CBC Nova Scotia Investigation has learned.

Scott Lee Gray, 41, is charged with fraud involving motor vehicles, car parts and building supplies, with the total amounttopping six figures.

• Bedford man subject of fraud, theft complaints from neighbours

Gray, who was convicted of fraud in 2011, has cases pending in courtrooms in Halifax, Dartmouth and the Annapolis Valley. In October, CBC News spoke to three of Gray's neighbours, who accused him of fraud.

And he's racked more complaints since then, this time involving a Burnside company that sells car batteries and Shamrock Trussin Lower Sackville, which sells construction equipment.

MiriamMendeofMagnacharge BatteryinBurnsidesays Gray wrotechequesfor car batteriestotallingmore than $10,000 in November.

She says she called police when the cheques bounced. The next time she saw Gray was on Nov. 13, when he came into the shop to pick up another order. Police came to the business, spoke with Gray and he left with them.

The case is being investigated, Mendes said police told her.

RCMP did charge Gray last month withdefrauding Shamrock Truss of more than$5,000.That case is winding its way through the justice system, along with six others that CBC News is aware of.

Repeated court delays

Bruce Regan owns a motorcycle and parts shop in Windsor. He says Gray took him for thousands of dollars in power tools back in March and April of 2014.

Regan says Gray seemed knowledgeable about the business and arrived late in the day.

"He seemed to know exactly what I was going to ask next. He was ready for me on all counts.

"And he understands timing:if you're going to do anything, an hour before closing, 10 minutes before closing is a good time because everyone is rattled and trying to get out of there."

Repeated delays in prosecuting the case caused by Gray's difficulties getting a lawyer have been frustrating, Regan says. A preliminary inquiry was set for September. That was adjourned for a second time and is now set for Jan. 18.

Regan says he's tired of the whole process.

Central Building Supplies of Windsor is another alleged victim. Gray is charged with defrauding the company out of a snowblower, a heater and furniture two reclining sofas and and two reclining chairs a few days before Christmas 2013, according to court documents.

The manager of Central Building Supplies declined to speak to CBC News.

Carquest of Lower Sackville is the complainant in a charge of fraud over $5,000 against Gray, with losses of about $25,000. Its manager also didn't want to be interviewed.

Denies allegations

Three individuals, Karen Sproule, Mike MacDougall and Anthony Filler, are also the alleged victims of fraud over $5,000, according to court documents.

"I couldn't believe I was being scammed. He was very good on details, knowing what to say to gain my trust," Sproule said.

Her complaint involved a car that she says Gray offered to help her sell. The car disappeared and she says she didn't receive any money. She tracked down the vehicle at a used car lot outside the city and eventually recovered it.

"He needs to be stopped. I don't want anyone else to go through what I did."

Reached by phone in October, Gray denied all allegations.At court appearances this month, Gray represented himself, but told the court he has plans to retain Halifax lawyer Lyle Howe.