Saturday, May 19, 2007

More On Tennessee Two In House Swindling Scam

According to a report by WTVF-TV Channel 5 in Nashville, Tennessee, the alleged house swindle by Jeffery Bratcher and Annette Dutton of Pinnacle Builders required a $35,000 every two weeks by the victims, an elderly retired Murfreesboro couple, until they paid for a newly built $219,000 home. Reportedly, when the victims went to the closing of title, they found out that nothing was paid for and the bank had a mortgage against it. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation claims that Pinnacle Builders stiffed both the bank on a construction loan, as well as the subcontractors who built the house. The house ended up being auctioned off, and the victims ended up buying the house again at the auction, this time for $160,000. Apparently, the victims knew Bratcher since he was a child. Said one of the victims, "We knew the kid since he was this high. He came into our house like he was a grandson when he was little."

Go here to watch the WTVF Channel 5 video report, by reporter Chris Cannon.

To read the online story, see Builders Swindle Retirees Who Pay Twice For House.
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