LOWELL, Mass., July 26 (UPI) -- A $1 million Massachusetts Lottery winner was arrested for a fraud that involved customers of his oil company, prosecutors say.
Michael Santaniello was arrested Tuesday in Lowell for allegedly scamming at least 10 victims, all over the age of 60, out of $10,000 since last year, the Boston Herald reported.
He was arrested on a warrant for missing his initial court appearance in the case three months ago, authorities said.
Prosecutors said Santaniello, owner of Mike's Oil Heat Service, told customers they needed new boilers and oil tanks, then took money from them for work he never did.
"What's most disturbing," said Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone, "is that this defendant continually repeated his scheme, all in an attempt to rip off vulnerable trusting members of the public who deserve better."
Santaniello's victims are scattered throughout Bedford, Burlington, Billerica, Lexington and Wilmington, authorities said.
In April 2009, Santaniello won $1 million playing a scratch ticket lottery game, officials said. He is receiving $35,000 annually after taxes a year for the next 20 years.
