Maryland man pleads guilty to role in meter tampering scheme

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meter-damageJames E. Nordhausen,   51, of Ellicott, MD, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, for his role in an electric meter tampering scam.

Nordhausen, who will be sentenced on June 16, 2016, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

According to statements made at the plea hearing and documents filed in court, the defendant worked with others to alter the electric meters commercial buildings in Delaware and elsewhere.

According to prosecutors, Nordhausen  solicited residents and business owners, telling them that he would install an energy efficient “device” on their electric meters.  The defendant gave the victims a flier, stating that he worked for a company called “eShield Technologies.”

The flier stated that the installation fees were $500 for a residence, and one month’s average electricity bill for commercial locations.  After collecting a fee, the defendant and others altered the electric meters.

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The alterations changed the power companies’ ability to detect the power used by the customers.

As a result, the customers’   electricity bills decreased significantly.  Eventually, power company technicians noticed that the meters were the subject of tampering, and the victims became liable for the previously unbilled energy usage.

The defendant, together with others, tampered with at least 37 meters, in at least 24 different locations in Delaware and elsewhere, a gaining t least $12,000 in fees.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the cooperation and assistance of Delmarva Power.

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