When a home remodel or construction project falls apart, angry customers often want their money back. Sometimes, what seems like a standard disagreement over a contract can turn into severe criminal charges in Montgomery County. If you are a contractor accused of stealing money or scamming clients, Attorney William A. Weiss and the defense team at SKA Law Group are here to help protect you and your business.
A Regular Lawsuit vs. A Criminal Arrest
Many times, an unhappy homeowner will just file a civil lawsuit to get a refund. However, police and prosecutors can get involved if they think a contractor purposely tricked a customer to steal their money. Investigators might look to press criminal theft charges if a contractor does things like:
- Taking a huge down payment and quitting the job.
- Making constant excuses while refusing to give refunds.
- Lying about having a valid license or insurance.
- Billing the customer for supplies or work they never actually provided.
- Taking money from one client to pay for a completely different job.
What Are the Punishments?
A conviction for contractor theft can ruin your life and your livelihood. The punishment depends on how much money is missing and if you have a criminal record. A convicted contractor could be facing:
- Time in jail or prison.
- Probation.
- Being ordered by the court to pay all the money back (restitution).
- Huge fines and court costs.
- Losing professional licenses and permanently damaging their business reputation.
How We Defend Your Construction Company
Just because a job failed does not mean you are a criminal. Normal daily issues like bad weather, a lack of workers, or arguments over how the work looks are just everyday business problems.
When defending your case, Attorney William A. Weiss focuses on proving that you never intended to steal. Our defense strategy looks closely at the facts to show:
- That the job was actually mostly finished.
- That you honestly warned the customer about any delays.
- That the customer’s money was actually spent on project costs.
- That any broken promises were honest mistakes, not intentional lies.
- That the whole problem is just a business dispute, not a crime.
Get Help in Montgomery County
William A. Weiss and the experienced attorneys at SKA Law Group—including Michael Kotik, Amato Sanita, and William Burrows—have the skills needed to defend clients facing serious charges in Montgomery County. We know how to build a strong defense to protect your freedom. If your construction company is being investigated, contact our Norristown office today to get the help you need.
FAQs: Construction Fraud and Theft
What is the difference between a normal lawsuit and a criminal arrest for a contractor in Montgomery County?
Many times, an unhappy homeowner will file a civil lawsuit for a refund, but prosecutors may review complaints to see if an actual crime was committed. If investigators believe a contractor purposely tricked a customer to steal their money through false promises or deceptive conduct, they can file serious criminal charges.
What actions can cause a Montgomery County contractor to face criminal charges?
Investigators might press criminal charges if a contractor takes a huge down payment and quits the job, makes constant excuses while refusing refunds, or lies about having a valid license or insurance. Billing for supplies never provided, or using money from one client to pay for a completely different job while hiding the truth, can also trigger criminal charges.
What are the punishments for contractor theft in Pennsylvania?
The punishments depend on the amount of money lost, the number of victims, and your criminal history. A convicted contractor could face jail or prison time, probation, court-ordered restitution to pay the money back, huge fines, and the permanent damage of their professional licenses and business reputation.
How does a lawyer defend a construction company against fraud charges?
The defense focuses on proving there was no criminal intent and that the issue is a normal business or contract dispute rather than a crime. A lawyer will look at the facts to show if the job was mostly finished, if delays were openly discussed, if the money was actually spent on project costs, and if any broken promises were simply honest mistakes.
Which Montgomery County lawyer can help defend my construction company?
Attorney William A. Weiss, along with Michael Kotik, Amato Sanita, William Burrows, and the experienced team at SKA Law Group, can defend your construction company. They are based in Norristown, Montgomery County, and have the skills and decades of experience to build an aggressive defense against serious criminal charges