Man Bilked Homeowners In Bucks Co. Contractor Fraud Scheme: DA

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Authorities are seeking a Delaware man who they say bilked homeowners in several Lower Bucks County communities to take money for repairs and renovations to half-damaged homes that he never made.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office is seeking the whereabouts of 44-year-old John D. Paoletti, the owner of Choice Remodeling and Restoration. He's been criminally charged in four separate cases of theft and fraud in Lower Bucks County and Delaware, authorities said.

Authorities believe that Paoletti may have committed similar deceptive practices in other communities as well and that there are more unidentified victims.

Authorities said confirmed losses to homeowners exceeds $80,000 so far.

Paoletti faces multiple felony and misdemeanor counts, including home improvement fraud, deceptive business practices, theft by deception, and receiving stolen property.

The Morrisville Borough and Lower Makefield Township police departments have filed charges against Paoletti, who authorities said has ties to Morrisville, as well as Millsboro, DE., and Hockessin, DE.

In one Morrisville case, Paoletti received a $12,500 insurance check but failed to complete the contracted repairs for nearly a year. A second Morrisville victim reported he lost more than $10,700 when Paoletti failed to repair his roof.

A Lower Makefield Township victim reported a loss of over $17,500 after Paoletti failed to make repairs to his home, and a fourth Morrisville victim is out nearly $46,000.

The criminal complaints detail a consistent pattern of alleged fraud:

• Advanced Payments: Paoletti is accused of soliciting and accepting large upfront payments for home improvement projects, renovations, or materials.
• Failure to Perform: After receiving the funds, Paoletti allegedly failed to complete the contracted work or, in some cases, failed to start the project at all.
• Refusal to Refund: When victims demanded their money back, Paoletti is accused of becoming unresponsive, avoiding contact, or, in one instance, allegedly telling a victim they could only receive a refund if they did not follow through with criminal charges.

Anyone who hired Paoletti or his company for home improvement work, paid him in advance, and the work was never completed or your money was not refunded, should call police, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, or through Crimewatch at www.bucksda.org.