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After 15 years probation, he's facing similar charges
New charges are pending against a man who was convicted of unlicensed construction. His lawyer says it's a contract dispute.
By IVAN PENN
Published July 30, 2006
Jeffrey A. Gaston was near the end of a 15-year probation sentence for grand theft and unlicensed construction work when he landed in jail twice in July on similar allegations. The 46-year-old Clearwater man is scheduled to appear in Pinellas Circuit Court on Monday on grand theft charges that he stole more than $250,000 from as many as 10 clients who hired him to remodel their homes, according to court records and attorneys in the case. Gaston is pleading not guilty to all the charges, said his lawyer, Hunter H. Chamberlin. "I think once the facts of all these cases come to light, it's going to show nothing more than contract disputes," Chamberlin said. "In every case, he did work." Investigators allege in court records that Gaston, owner of Homemakers Remodeling and Construction Inc., a Clearwater company, took tens of thousands of dollars in up-front payments from customers, but "some projects were never started and others have been going on for several years." "He would contract with people, do minimal amounts of work and walk away," said Deborah Berry, chief investigator for the Pinellas County Department of Justice and Consumer Services. In some cases, Gaston directed customers who were short on money to a mortgage company that was operated by his sister, court records state. Some customers either refinanced or took second mortgages against their homes, and Gaston walked away with the money, according to court records. In one case, a representative of his company is accused of taking $35,000 from a Clearwater couple to rebuild their house after a fire destroyed it, but no work was ever performed and the money was never refunded, court records state. Investigators said money in two separate bank accounts in the name of Gaston's company was withdrawn several times with checks to Gaston. He was released from jail after posting a bond of more than $200,000. Ivan Penn covers consumer affairs issues and can been reached at ipenn@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2332.
[Last modified July 30, 2006, 01:22:03]
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