Sunday, December 23, 2007

California Contractor Charged With Screwing Fifteen Homeowners Out Of $670K

In Santa Ana, California, The Associated Press reports:
  • An Orange County contractor accused of bilking homeowners out of $670,000 in payments has been captured in Kansas. Authorities say Ira Jay Messing, 60, was arrested Dec. 3 in Wichita, Kan. Messing ran a design and remodeling company that accepted about $670,000 in payments from 15 homeowners to install sunrooms in their residences between 2003 and 2005. But county prosecutors say little or no work was ever done. Instead, Messing allegedly used the money to complete other contracts. He eventually closed his company and filed for bankruptcy last year. Messing is being held at a county jail on $1 million bail. He's set to be arraigned [...] on charges of diverting construction funds and grand theft.

For more, see OC contractor accused of bilking homeowners arrested in Kansas.

For other posts on contractors accused of stiffing subs & homeowners, go here and go here. contractors stiff subs customers zeta