Felony Charges Against Contractors
Two construction contractors in Utah face felony charges related to defrauding homeowners.
Homeowners Defrauded
Homeowners reported substantial financial losses:
- One homeowner, Broman, paid $64,000 for a staircase that was never built.
- Another homeowner, Ryan, paid $30,000 for a deck that was improperly constructed, causing severe damage to his house.
Contractor Permits and Business Practices
- Contractor Goodrich, one of the accused, continued to work after Utah suspended his license last year.
- Goodrich had positive reviews on contractor apps, misleading many homeowners.
Legal Actions and Charges
- Goodrich faces charges of theft by deception and acting as a contractor without a license.
- Similar charges have been filed in two other cases involving Goodrich’s business practices.
- Goodrich is currently held in jail without bail, facing 21 counts of fraud.
Homeowner Advice and Precautions
- The Utah Department of Commerce advises homeowners to check contractor credentials on their website scams.utah.gov.
- Homeowners are urged to document all interactions and transactions with contractors to build a case if fraud occurs.
State Attorney General’s Involvement
- The Utah Attorney General’s office is actively prosecuting these cases, emphasizing the severe nature of the fraud.
Impact on Victims
- Victims like Broman express frustration and financial loss, emphasizing the need for vigilance when hiring contractors.
- Legal processes for restitution are ongoing but offer no guarantees of recovered funds.
For more detailed information and previous reports, visit Fox 13’s website at fox13now.com.