‘This is not ok with us’: As North Idaho contractor intends to file for bankruptcy, former clients say they want their money back – KXLY

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Practically a month after Idaho Legal professional Basic Lawrence Wasden introduced a settlement with North Idaho contractor Alex Welstad, Welstad’s former shoppers are nonetheless in search of justice.

The AG’s workplace accused Welstad of taking greater than $790,000 from his prospects and that he violated the state Shopper Safety Act and Idaho Guidelines of Shopper Safety.

Welstad denied these allegations and agreed to the consent judgment “for the only real function of effectively and economically resolving the Legal professional Basic’s considerations about Defendants’ enterprise practices as of the efficient date of this Consent Judgment.”

Welstad did enterprise underneath the names NAA Companions LLC and Mammoth Pole Buildings.

Although this settlement requires Welstad to pay restitution to his affected shoppers, in accordance with the AG’s workplace, Welstad plans to file for chapter, which doesn’t sit properly along with his former shoppers who spoke to 4 Information Now.

“I’d like to have my constructing fastened. I’d like to have my cash returned and I might love Alex to be served justice,” stated Jennifer Bartley.

Bartley says she entered into an settlement with Welstad’s firm final 12 months however is out $35,000 with no phrase on when or if she’ll get well that cash.

“The constructing funds that we had put aside to complete this constructing ended up going to paying for lawyer charges, authorized charges, submitting charges, all of that. It’s sort of left us in a gap,” stated Bartley.

Bartley stated Welstad began engaged on her store in August of 2021 however stopped working in November, solely abandoning a picket construction and supplies on her St. Maries property.

Bartley deliberate to reside within the store along with her household however says Welstad’s unfinished work left her, her husband and two teenage sons dwelling of their trailer all winter.

“The trailer is getting very small by the day. Our boys are rising, they’re youngsters and it was purported to be a brief state of affairs,” stated Bartley.

The St. Maries mom confirmed us a 36-page report carried out by a forensic engineer by her insurance coverage firm, detailing “shoddy workmanship” and a number of defects all through the construction however she stated her insurance coverage declare was denied.

“I feel the quantity of those who have come ahead which have been victimized by him speaks volumes,” stated Bartley.

4 Information Now obtained public information with screenshots of Mammoth Pole Constructing’s web site, displaying Welstad claimed to be bonded in Washington, Idaho and Montana. The web site has since been taken down.

A report filed with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Workplace in January 2022 exhibits Welstad was underneath investigation.

But, a supplemental narrative report written by a detective on Might 6, 2022 says the Prosecutor’s Workplace indicated they had been declining prosecution and described Welstad as “a really poor businessman” however that “his conduct doesn’t rise to violation of Idaho legislation.”

Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh declined to go on digicam however in an electronic mail between him and greater than 50 others dated June 7, 2022 says Sheriff Norris has assigned a detective to conduct an extra investigation and when that work is completed, “my workplace will evaluate the knowledge and make a charging determination.”

The e-mail chain was began by a realtor from Western Washington, Nathaly Burnett.

Burnett says her retirement property in North Idaho is now in limbo.

She even offered an audio trade between her, her husband and Welstad that she says occurred at Welstad’s workplace in Coeur d’Alene.

Burnett: No, you don’t perceive, this isn’t comfortable with us.

Burnett’s husband: We’re working class stiffs. That’s our retirement.

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Burnett: That’s half of what it’s costing us to place in–

Welstad: Yeah, however I’m jail time if I don’t offer you guys this sh*t again.

Burnett: Precisely.

Burnett believes the present legal guidelines favor contractors greater than customers.

“The contractor can put a lien on your home in the event you don’t pay them but when the contractor doesn’t do the work, you must spend extra money, you must sue them,” Burnett stated.

Burnett posted her expertise on a Fb web page and says she has personally spoken to almost 55 individuals who declare to have been victimized by Welstad.

She says she plans to start out a non-profit to assist others who fall sufferer to shady contractors and intends to fundraise for Welstad’s neediest victims.

“I wish to see contractors required to place their deposits right into a belief account they usually’re solely allowed to take that cash out after they’re engaged on the constructing,” Burnett stated.

Legal professional Basic Wasden’s settlement says his workplace continues to be taking complaints in Welstad’s case till June 23, which will be filed right here or by calling 208-334-2424

When hiring contractors, the Idaho AG recommends customers to:

• Get contractor referrals from family and friends.
• Learn the contractor’s enterprise profile on the BBB’s web site, paying explicit consideration to any unresolved complaints and damaging buyer feedback.
• Verify with the Legal professional Basic’s Workplace for complaints and enforcement actions involving the contractor.
• Learn shopper feedback posted on-line and on social media.
• Get a number of bids for initiatives.
• Perceive what info a contractor should disclose underneath Idaho Code § 48-525.
• Confirm the contractor has legal responsibility and employee’s compensation insurance coverage.
• Acquire a surety bond to cowl potential losses, together with prolonged title insurance coverage and a lien waiver to forestall unwarranted liens.
• Use an escrow agent to disburse funds to the contractor as work is accomplished.
• Acquire a listing of the subcontractors who offered items and companies for the venture.
• Keep watch over the venture’s progress and the work being finished.

Residents in Washington can confirm a contractor right here or file complaints by this hyperlink.

Regardless of our makes an attempt to achieve out to Welstad by textual content, cellphone and e-mail, he has not responded to 4 Information Now on this investigation.

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