Program helps woman recover from scam

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

An Oklahoma city woman was scammed out of $15,000 and the city threatened to condemn her home.

But now Dorthiea Jones is getting the help she needs. 

Jones came close to losing her northeast Oklahoma City house because it was in horrible condition. It was unsecure, it wasn't weatherproof and the city said she needed to fix it or it would come down.

The volunteer group "Rebuilding Together" stopped that from happening. They have spent months getting the job complete.

Members of the group and the Holy Temple Church finished up the painting on Saturday.

Johnson said if it wasn't for the group and a $9,500 grant from Lowe's, the house never would have been repaired. 

Johnson's husband died a few years ago and she already gave $15,000 to contractors who refused to finish the job and disappeared without a trace.

"I have always prayed for them," Johnson said. "It's said. It's really sad."

Volunteers said the repairs will be complete by the end of January. Rebuilding Together also plans to paint the rest of the house, and build Johnson a ramp for her wheelchair.