Contractor gets jail time for home improvement ripoffs
Toolbox
By Susan Smallheer STAFF WRITER - Published: October 3, 2009
MONTPELIER — A Chester contractor was sentenced to four to nine years in prison this week after he was found guilty of three counts of felony home improvement fraud.
David Rounds was also found guilty of felony counts of embezzlement and false pretenses, and a misdemeanor false pretenses count.
"Hopefully this jail term will be a wake-up call to other contractors in the state who take money from Vermont property owners and then fail to deliver on their promises," said Attorney General William Sorrell, whose office prosecuted Rounds.
Rounds was found guilty after a two-day trial in White River Junction District Court in January. On Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to two additional charges of felony home improvement fraud and another felony count of embezzlement.
The state dismissed four other counts of felony home improvement fraud in exchange for Rounds' guilty pleas.
He has been ordered to make close to $91,000 in restitution to 13 different victims.
According to the Attorney General's office, Rounds entered into contracts for home improvement work at eight different homes throughout Windsor County from September 2004 to November 2007. Rounds received deposits from the homeowners, and then failed to order the required materials or perform the contracted home improvements.
Sorrell urged Vermont homeowners to "protect yourselves."
He said homeowners should contact the office's Consumer Assistance Program and check the office Web site to find out if the contractor in question has been convicted of home improvement fraud or has had complaints filed against him.
"File a complaint with us so that others can be protected," Sorrell said.
The Consumer Assistance Program can be reached at (800) 649-2424 or 656-3183. The Web site is www.atg.state.vt.us.
susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com
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