The law is an ARSE!

[ChocDee]

So we have recently moved to the US.

We wanted some work done on a building; and long story short is that we got totally scammed out of 5000 dollars. The bloke said he was going to do the work to a high standard and would not leave until we were totally satisfied. He looked like a clean cut Father Christmas and was throwing around the God Bless Yous with great gusto earnestness.

He never turned up. Didn't reply to email, phone calls, texts and his voice box was full so we were not able to leave a message.

Turns out he is in jail already for fleecing other people left right and center and has made a career out of being an arsehole for years.

It is great that he has been caught and other people will not suffer.

But!! I really fucking resent that OUR money that he stole will not be given back to us because he will now use that to hire a lawyer. Our money!!!! Our money being spend to defend this fuckwit!!!!

He owes so many people money by now so it is very very unlikely we will ever see a penny.

I am so cross!!!!

Er, why have you paid upfront?

The norm here is that you pay for materials upfront when it is a 'smaller' job like this. But you are right. We were utter trusting fools and we have learnt a valuable lesson

Ah ok. Although $5k doesn't sound particularly small if that's just for materials.

Would the basic principle of hiring any contractor not be the same? Get a contract, get references and don't pay until you are satisfied the work carried out meets that specified in the contract.

Also advisable to look up on Checkatrade or similar.

Thank you for your thoughts! As I said - we are fully aware that we have been more than foolish.
This was largely DH's project. We have lived in Europe for about 6 years and he has developed a somewhat romantical view of his home country. Also we live in a really rural farming area. No excuses but that is how it happened.

Never again though!!

Oh no! What a terrible thing to happen. I feel so sorry for you. But how was he able to operate a "business" from jail?

He was arrested soon after he cashed the check. Not because of us but because he is a career arsehole. We have read his rap sheet.

But hey - we are now paying for his legal defence people. I am libera, but this is not a nice feeling at all!

But we were somewhat lucky since if he had been on our property and just put in one single nail before swanning off with our money we would have had to prosecute him ourselves in civil court.

But you still have the right to pursue a civil action against him for the return of the money the same as you would have over in Europe.