Nov. 20—A Germantown fence firm is accused of bilking prospects, together with a preschool and humane society, of greater than $135,000 for work not carried out or not accomplished.
Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. on Monday introduced a 25-count indictment towards Dixie Fence South LLC proprietor 54-year-old Daryl Robert Fraley, aka Rob Fraley.
The prosecutor’s shopper fraud unit recognized 25 defrauded prospects with almost $138,000 stolen for the reason that fraud unit acquired its first criticism in November final yr, in line with the prosecutor’s workplace.
A resident responded to a Fb Market advert for Dixie Fence South and in Might 2022 paid a $2,500 down cost; nevertheless, six months later the corporate had not accomplished any work, delivered any supplies nor refunded the cash, Heck mentioned.
Fraley was issued a summons to seem for his Dec. 5 arraignment in Montgomery County Frequent Pleas Courtroom for 4 counts of grand theft; 5 counts of theft of an aged/disabled particular person; and 16 counts of theft, all felony expenses.
“Earlier than hiring a contractor, you should analysis them completely. At all times ask for references from these they’ve achieved work for just lately. Additionally, by no means pay money up entrance, and it is a good suggestion to by no means put down greater than one-third of the mission price. This defendant stole from greater than two dozen victims however will now be held accountable for his actions,” Heck mentioned.
Ohio Legal professional Common Dave Yost in February filed a lawsuit in Montgomery County towards Dixie Fence South and Fraley for alleged violations of state shopper safety legal guidelines. In some circumstances the enterprise refused to refund deposits or funds; didn’t carry out any work; didn’t full jobs; or didn’t repair shoddy and substandard work, in line with the lawsuit.
The civil case has reached a settlement, in line with an order to dismiss the case signed final week by Montgomery County Frequent Pleas Decide E. Gerald Parker Jr.
A separate fencing contractor with the same title, Dixie Fence LLC based mostly in Harrison Twp., has a disclaimer in crimson on its web site alerting prospects they don’t seem to be affiliated with Dixie Fence South.
“We’re not the identical firm,” mentioned proprietor Jaron Fraley, who earlier this yr mentioned he has been negatively affected by undeserved poor opinions and misdirected calls from indignant prospects aimed on the Germantown-based enterprise operated by a relative.
Jaron Fraley mentioned the Higher Enterprise Bureau has been a vivid spot in serving to him keep his good fame. Dixie Fence LLC has an A+ ranking with the BBB. When complaints had been made, the BBB investigated and assigned them to the right enterprise, he mentioned.
Dixie Fence South LLC — registered on Jan. 10, 2020, with the Ohio Secretary of State — just isn’t BBB accredited and has an F ranking with the group. The BBB web site experiences there have been 24 complaints, together with 9 previously yr.