Action News Investigation: Builder allegedly forged permits used for construction loans

The alleged victims mentioned they shelled out tens of 1000’s of {dollars}, however as a substitute of a house, they are saying they obtained excuse after excuse.

Bucks County residents Ron and Daybreak Lippencott mentioned they, together with the others, first went to police, however the investigations have gone nowhere.

Lippincott mentioned he and his spouse lately retired and have been set to construct their twilight 12 months’s house in Penn Forest Township.

“Pitiful, sickening. Disgusting. Man promised me a home in six months. We began in Could (and) gave him a $40,000 examine. He mentioned you’d have the home accomplished by October. That is what we received,” he mentioned.

That man is Ed Myles of Skilled House Companies in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.

9 others additionally got here ahead to Motion Information complaining they put down deposits for brand new properties within the Poconos final 12 months however have seen little to no development.

“He mentioned he may do the job in three, 4 months. All the opposite builders have been saying a 12 months and a half down the highway,” mentioned Jim Laber.

“He did not have any properties to point out us that he had accomplished as a result of he mentioned he was new within the space,” added Karen Moquin.

A number of the alleged victims financed their development by means of Ephrata Nationwide Financial institution.

After receiving complaints, the financial institution did its personal investigation and the consumers quickly received alarming information.

A letter from the financial institution states that allows issued have been “not legally issued.”

“So the financial institution closed out our mortgage and mentioned good luck, you continue to owe $20,000. Work out how you are going to pay us again,” mentioned Moquin.

A number of consumers constructing in neighboring Chestnut Hill Township additionally obtained comparable letters.

A Chestnut Hill Township constructing official instructed Motion Information the septic and zoning permits submitted to the financial institution have been fraudulent.

It by no means obtained any allow functions from Ed Myles or Skilled House Companies which is registered underneath his spouse, Beata Myles.

The township official, Matt Neeb, mentioned the permits submitted to the financial institution had the mistaken brand and signatures gave the impression to be solid.

Motion Information confronted Myles concerning the allegations as he waited to get into his gated Penn Forest Improvement.

He denied any wrongdoing in forging or submitting fraudulent permits however declined an on-camera interview.

“Oh, no, that is not the case,” mentioned Myles.

“So what’s the case?” requested Motion Information investigative reporter Chad Pradelli.

“The case is that we take the down fee however work has been accomplished,” Myles replied.

Paradoxically, Myles cited a sluggish allowing course of for the delays throughout a subsequent telephone name.

He mentioned he plans to refund all cash to consumers who’re unhappy.

The Lippincotts and others are in limbo looking for a brand new builder.

Virtually all of them have filed complaints with the Pennsylvania Lawyer Basic’s workplace.

The Lippincotts had to return to work after dropping almost $50,000.

“I had to return to work to get my a reimbursement…All people’s telling us we’re not going to get our cash,” mentioned Ron Lippencott.

“We want to see him prosecuted on the very least as a result of he is simply he is nonetheless doing this to different folks,” mentioned Moquin.

Penn Forest Township declined our request for an on-camera interview citing an lively investigation.

Since Motion Information started its investigation, county authorities and the Pennsylvania Lawyer Basic have reopened investigations after beforehand calling it a civil matter.

Two weeks in the past, Myles’ former legal professional obtained a $12,000 judgement for unpaid providers.