WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Cracking Down on Fraudulent Contractors
Member Center:
Montpelier, Vermont - October 2, 2009
A builder from Chester will spend four to nine years in jail for home improvement fraud and embezzlement.
David Rounds contracted with eight homeowners in Windsor County between 2004 and 2007-- and the Attorney General's office says he ripped those homeowners off. Rounds would get money for work that was either started and never completed, or never started at all.
Attorney General Bill Sorrell says Rounds was a thief masquerading as a contractor and warns Vermonters there are many more like him out there.
"We have records of over 900 complaints on file against individual businesses who provide repair or contracting work to Vermonters... Be smart on the front end of entering a contract," said Sorrell, D-Vt. Attorney General. "You are running a great risk of losing your money, not getting the services you wanted and having a heck of a time getting your money back. If any."
Sorrell says Rounds' stiff sentence should send a message to other swindling contractors.
To check to see if there are any complaints about a contractor you are doing business with-- or to lodge a complaint-- contact the Consumer Assistance Program. Call 1-800-649-2424 or 1-802-656-3183 in Chittenden County. You can also visit www.atg.state.vt.us and click on Home Improvement Fraud.
Darren Perron - WCAX News
Comments Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
