Lake Charles man charged with home improvement fraud
VERMILION PARISH (KLFY) -- A Lake Charles man has been arrested on multiple charges of home improvement fraud and contractor fraud, authorities said.
Brent Dugas, 48, was arrested twice by the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office, on July 17 and 26, and charged with home improvement fraud. Dugas was also arrested and charged with contractor fraud previously in Acadia Parish, officials said.
Authorities learned the owner of SLPS Pole Barns and Buildings signed a contract to construct a building in Acadia Parish. The contractor was paid half of the cost of the project during the contract signing.
Approximately one year later, the victim filed a criminal complaint against the contractor for violation of residential contractor fraud, according to Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office.
As of Monday, Dugas was still in the Vermilion Parish jail.
Home improvement fraud, also known as a home improvement scam, occurs when a contractor or company, or someone pretending to be one, tricks a homeowner into paying for an unfinished or poorly done renovation or remodel.