Congressional Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C. scammed at home by group claiming to be cleaning crew

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.’s longtime non-voting representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, was scammed at her home by people who claimed to be part of a cleaning crew, her office told NBC4 Washington.

The suspects charged nearly $4,400 to his credit card for work they did not perform, police said.

An internal police report obtained by NBC4 Washington details how the suspects were able to enter Norton’s home Thursday and access her credit card before someone, whom her office called a house manager and friend, could put a stop to it.

A D.C. police report describes Norton, 88, as suffering from the “early stages of dementia” and says Norton has a guardian with power of attorney. Norton’s office objected to the claim.

Several people claiming to be HVAC workers arrived at Norton’s home on 9th Street SE just after 3:30 p.m. Thursday, the commissioner’s field report states.

Norton let workers into the home to perform HVAC services. But, even though no services were performed, workers charged $4,362 for cleaning the ducts and fireplace, the report states.

At the time of the group’s arrival, the report states, “the guard/prosecutor was not home.” This report does not name the guard but indicates that this individual called the police.

That individual saw the HVAC workers on a security camera and advised Norton to tell them to leave, according to the report. That person then went to Norton’s home and realized the credit card had been charged.

They then flagged down a D.C. police officer, and the U.S. Capitol Police also went to Norton’s home to investigate.

Norton’s credit card and driver’s license number “could potentially be compromised,” the report said.

No arrests were made Thursday, but police are treating the crime as criminal fraud.

A separate public incident report names the person who reported the crime as Jacqueline Pelt. Pelt is a longtime friend and supporter of Norton, and was listed as his campaign treasurer.

In a statement to NBC4 Washington, Norton’s office said: “The congresswoman employs a house manager who oversees all maintenance services, so she initially assumed her staff had arranged the visit and provided her credit card for payment. »

“After informing the house manager, who viewed the Ring doorbell footage and confirmed that no such meeting had been arranged, the incident was immediately reported to the police.”

Later in the same statement, Norton’s office said: “Congresswoman Norton does not have a caretaker. A longtime employee and friend serves as the house manager, residing at a separate address.”

A spokesperson for Norton confirmed that Pelt had notified police, but said she was not Norton’s caretaker. That spokesperson did not say whether Pelt had power of attorney for Norton, as the commissioner’s field report indicates.

The commissioner’s field report said HVAC workers attempted to solicit Norton twice earlier this year — once in August and once in September — and were asked to leave each time.

No items were stolen from Norton’s home, the public incident report states. An investigation is underway into the fraud complaint involving Norton’s credit card, DC police confirmed.

Asked about NBC4 Washington’s report, a spokeswoman for Norton told NBC News on Friday that his office declines to comment to the press on developments in the case “as this is an active police investigation.”

“Any further communication regarding the incident will come from his personal attorney,” the spokesperson said.

Norton’s political future has been a subject of discussion in recent months, after the delegate told NBC News in June that she is “going to run” for re-election, brushing aside critics who say she is no longer an effective representative at 88 years old. Her office sought to walk back her assertion, but she contradicted her team and maintained in subsequent weeks that she would seek another term in 2026.

His public appearances and speeches have been rare at a crucial time for the District of Columbia, as President Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress attempt to seize power from Washington, D.C. voters by repealing local laws and threatening a “complete and total” federal takeover of the liberal city.