Jackson County solar power salesmen are charged with theft

Two Jackson County men are accused of taking almost $35,000 in deposits and payments from several area churches for solar power systems never delivered or installed.

Carl Edward Long, 66, of Blue Springs, and Anthony E. Long, 45, of Grain Valley, are each charged with theft and seven counts of deceptive business practices.

According to court documents, between December 2012 and November 2013, the men accepted payments from churches in both Kansas Citys, Lee’s Summit and Oak Grove.

The Longs allegedly promised to install solar collection arrays to help power the churches. They also allegedly said they would apply to Kansas City Power & Light for rebates based on the size of the installations.

A third man, a sales representative employed by the Longs, said Carl Edward Long told him not to use his real last name when speaking with potential customers. According to the salesman, Long was concerned that if customers learned his true name, they would learn about his previous felony convictions.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Jackson County solar power salesmen are charged with theft."