Florida Builder Charged With Bilking Seven Victims In New Jersey : Prosecutor's Office

A Florida builder charged with theft will be extradicted to Ocean County at the request of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Richard Woodard 63, the part owner of Willwood Builders, Clearwater, Florida was located and arrested last week on Friar Tuck Lane in Dunedin, Florida by Pinellas County Sheriff's Department Officers, Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave said.

Woodard and his company are accused of taking more than $75,000 from seven known victims. The thefts included clients' savings, insurance money and state Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) grants that were paid without Willwood Builders finishing the work, he said.

The Prosecutor's Office charged Woodard with theft by failure to make required disposition on behalf of the victims. His bail was set at $150,000 cash. Proceedings have begun to extradite Woodard to Ocean County to answer the charges. Anthony Sodano III, of West Orange was previously identified as the attorney representing Woodard, Della Fave said.

To read more about people who were affected, go to nj.com and click here.

Anyone who may have experienced problems with Richard Woodard’s Willwood Builders Construction Company can contact Economic Crimes Unit Detective Lindsay Llauget at 732-929-2027 Ext. 3462.

Image: Ocean County Prosecutor's Office - state Motor Vehicle Commission.