Contractor Charged with $123K in Fraud, Police Say

A 55-year-old Macungie contractor was charged Friday with allegedly taking money from six Lehigh County residents and failing to complete contracted work.

Kevin W. Drake was charged with six counts of theft by deception and six counts of home improvement fraud, Upper Macungie Police said.

Police said the investigation started in July 2012 after an Upper Macungie resident filed a complaint that alleged Drake was paid for home improvement work that was started but never completed.

An investigation, assisted by the Lehigh County District Attorney's office, identified six people who signed contracts and paid money to Drake.

Police said the work was either never started or never completed during a time period spanning July 2012 to  January. Police said two victims were from Upper Macungie Township, three from Lower Macungie Township and one from Lower Milford Township.

Police said the total combined loss was $123,100.

Police said a criminal complaint was filed Friday against Drake before District Judge Michael Faulkner. All the charges are third-degree felonies, police said.

Police said Drake was arrested at his Macungie home Friday and taken to Lehigh County Booking Center, where he was remanded on $100,000 straight bail.

Arrests do not indicate conviction.