Longtime D.C. Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton fell victim to an elaborate home scam when a group posing as cleaning and HVAC workers charged her nearly $4,400 for services that were never performed.
According to D.C. police and a statement from Norton’s office, the 88-year-old lawmaker, a trailblazer in civil rights and a fixture in the capital’s political landscape, allowed the supposed crew into her Southeast D.C. home after they claimed to be scheduled for maintenance work.
The incident occurred on Thursday, Oct 23, 2025, afternoon when multiple individuals, pretending to be HVAC technicians, arrived unannounced.
Police say the crew “performed no work” but managed to charge Norton’s credit card for $4,362 before her house manager intervened. The quick action of her friend and longtime associate Jaqueline Pelt, who was listed in the report as the complainant, helped stop the scam before further damage was done.
“Upon notifying her house manager, who reviewed Ring doorbell footage and confirmed that no such appointment had been scheduled, the incident was immediately reported to the police,” Norton’s office said in a statement.
Authorities confirmed that no arrests have been made yet, but the case is being treated as felony fraud.
A Familiar Tactic, a Disturbing Target
What makes this incident particularly troubling is that it’s not the first time the same group had approached Norton. According to the police report, the fake contractors had twice attempted to solicit her earlier this year, once in August and once in September, before being turned away.
This time, however, they struck when Norton was alone. The internal police report noted that a caretaker with power of attorney was not at the residence at the time, a claim Norton’s office firmly denies.
“Congresswoman Norton doesn’t have a caretaker. A longtime employee and friend serves as the house manager, residing at a separate address,” her office clarified.
Despite the report’s mention of “early stages of dementia,” Norton’s team pushed back strongly, calling that assertion inaccurate and “misleading.”
Elder Fraud and Exploitation in the Capital
While details continue to emerge, the Norton case underscores a growing and disturbing trend of scammers targeting older adults, often under the guise of service workers or contractors. The Federal Trade Commission has reported a sharp rise in elder-targeted fraud schemes, especially those involving home maintenance and credit card deception.
That this happened to a high-profile public servant, one with decades of experience navigating Washington’s toughest corridors of power, only highlights how sophisticated these scams have become.
A Career Defined by Tenacity
For nearly 30 years, Eleanor Holmes Norton has been the voice of the District in Congress. Though nonvoting, she has wielded enormous influence over federal and local policy. Known for her fierce advocacy for D.C. statehood, women’s rights, and racial equality, Norton has weathered political storms far greater than this personal setback.
Yet, the episode has sparked renewed debate about her future.
At 88, she has said she plans to seek re-election in 2026, despite concerns among some constituents about her ability to continue serving effectively.
