A River Falls contractor is accused of cashing thousands of dollars of customers’ checks, but failing to produce any results on home remodeling projects.
Bret Aron VanBlaircom, 60, posted …
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A River Falls contractor is accused of cashing thousands of dollars of customers’ checks, but failing to produce any results on home remodeling projects.
Bret Aron VanBlaircom, 60, posted a $25,000 signature bond Nov. 26 in St. Croix County Circuit Court on two felony theft by contractor > $10,000-$100,000, felony theft – business setting > $10,000-$100,000, felony theft – false representation > $10,000-$100,000 and felony theft – movable property > $10,000-$100,000 charges. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $25,000.
According to the complaint:
At 3:33 p.m. June 17, two victims went to River Falls Police Department to report the trouble they’d been having with Artisan Builders LLC, 709 St. Croix St., River Falls, while going through a basement remodel for the past year. They had contacted an attorney about filing a small claims case against the owner, VanBlaircom, who advised them to contact law enforcement as well. They had signed a contract for a basement remodel totaling $59,950 on April 27, 2023 for a River Falls residence with a final walkthrough scheduled for no later than July 1, 2024. The couple had written out checks to VanBlaircom totaling $64,490 but only two doors had been installed, they said. About $15,000 to $20,000 worth of materials still had to be installed. When asked about the $60,000 in materials purchased, VanBlaircom didn’t have anything to show for them. He didn’t show up when he said he was going to work. They said he would do a little work at a time, then disappear for a week or more. The city building inspector also confirmed VanBlaircom had not pulled any building permits for the projects.
The couple is seeking restitution. VanBlaircom is also accused of not completing projects for other families in the region. A Chippewa Falls couple sued him in civil court for $145,390.76 and a judge ordered a default judgment on Sept. 11, 2024. He has been ordered to pay multiple debtors thousands of dollars in small claims cases in Pierce and St. Croix counties.
VanBlaircom is set to appear at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4 in St. Croix County Circuit Court for a status conference, and again at 2 p.m. Dec. 26 for a settlement conference.
