Contractor Charged With Failing to Pay Refund to Franklin Park Homeowners

An Ambridge man faces charges in connection with a home improvement project that wasn’t completed at a Franklin Park residence.

Franklin Park police are charging Marcus Robert Geiser, 39, with deceptive or fraudulent business practices and home improvement fraud. Police filed a complaint Dec. 21 with District Judge Robert Ford of Leetsdale.

According to court records, a Settlers Drive resident told police in July that $6,600 had been paid to Geiser toward a $9,000 project, but that Geiser had “done very little work.” Police contacted Geiser, who said he was involved with multiple jobs and recently had to fire two employees.

In September, Geiser told the homeowner he could not complete the project and that he would repay the $6,600 in three installments. As of Dec. 18, Geiser had not contacted the homeowner again after paying only $600 in early October, police said.

Tools stolen

A New Brighton man faces multiple charges of stealing equipment from a construction site in Franklin Park and selling it.

In a complaint filed Thursday with Ford, Franklin Park police charged Jason Russell, 35, with criminal trespass, making false reports to law enforcement authorities and two counts each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

In November, police investigated a burglary report at a home under construction on Laurel Drive. Reported stolen were a Rigid air compressor and Dewalt radio.

Police contacted Hamilton Tools and Supply in Beaver Falls, which reported that Russell had sold items matching that description. According to court records, police then interviewed Russell, who “provided a verbal and written statement initially implicating two painters being involved in the burglary; however, later admitted to being the only person involved in taking and selling the items.”

Police said Russell’s employer, Antenucci Flooring of Harmony, also reported stolen items that later were sold to Hamilton.