A Grand Rapids contractor pleaded guilty to fraudulent use of building contact funds.
David J. Jenkins entered the plea in 13th Circuit Court Monday.
The charges were based on an investigation which began in December after a family in Georgia, who were in the process of building a new residence in Leelanau, alleged Jenkins took funds for work expected to be completed in Leelanau County.
Information from the victims were that they had fronted nearly $800,000 to a general contractor firm, Jenkins Estates, LTD. from the Grand Rapids area to act as the general contractor for their new home. Additional information was that work had begun by several subcontractors but had stopped because none of them were getting paid. Detectives executed several search warrants for financial records and interviewed several of the subcontractors from the job as part of the investigation.
Jenkins was charged with false pretenses of $100,000 or more, a 20-year felony and contractor fraud/fraudulent use of building funds.
Monday he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge stipulating that $348,000 in restitution will be paid by the time of sentencing. A $68,000 lien shall be removed from the victim’s home within six months of sentencing, in September.
