A Carthage man was arrested after bilking $44,500 from a local resident after failing to finish a construction project, authorities said.
The Whispering Pines Police Department said in a news release Chesley Ray Kennedy, 39, was arrested for felony obtaining property by false pretense.
The police department was contacted in late May regarding construction fraud at the victim’s home in Whispering Pines.
The woman told police she had “entered a contract” and gave Kennedy a deposit for the construction of a sun-room and deck addition.
Kennedy obtained a second payment for the job less than two weeks later and asked the homeowner for a final payment when only the foundation was completed.
Authorities found out during the investigation that Kennedy was not licensed to perform the work.
“During the investigation, it was determined that Kennedy was not an N.C. licensed general contractor and had used another construction company’s name and license number to obtain the building permit,” said Whispering Pines Police Department.
The news release said an arrest warrant was secured on Kennedy, and he was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
All suspects facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
