Unlicensed contractor scammed elderly homeowner out of $60K for ‘little to no work,’ cops say
An unlicensed contractor -- who previously was accused of representing himself as a chaplain for a similar scam in 2015 -- conned an elderly man in Orange County out of more than
According to an investigative report, the 77-year-old victim said he contacted Brantley through HomeAdvisor.com in 2016. Brantley came to the victim’s home on
The victim said Brantley told him that Allstate had confirmed it would cover the repairs -- even though the homeowner was not currently insured by the company -- by sending a check for
In the meantime, deputies say, Brantley asked for money upfront.
The victim paid Brantley’s companies, Global Initiative Contractors and Higher Ground Higher Praise,
“[The victim] advised he was constantly paying
Brantley had promised to re-roof the house, kill all mold, remove and replace the insulation and paint the ceilings in four rooms, according to a proposal the homeowner provided.
However, according to the report, Brantley demolished a bathroom he never rebuilt, put shingles on the roof that had to be replaced -- at additional cost to the homeowner -- and failed to do the other jobs, spending “less than a week, off and on” at the victim’s house.
A deputy spoke to Brantley ex-fiancu00e9e, who said she had broken up with him “because she came to the realization he was a scam artist.” She said she had given Brantley more than
Brantley has faced allegations of shady dealings dating back years.
In 2015, he faced charges in
The man had struck and killed a pedestrian in
Brantley has also at least twice faced charges in
He remained in the Orange County jail Tuesday evening with bond set at
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