Asked in Criminal Law and Construction Law for Illinois

Q: Im being investigated for home repair fraud but I have returned the money presumably before I have been charged Am I gud

I do driveway installation and recently I did work for a elderly lady, I I did not charge her more than I told her, I did everything I told I was going to do and I made sure to ask her if she was satisfied before she paid me. I also told her at any point if she was unhappy with the job to contact me and id refund her money and the very next day a person i know contacted me and told me the police was called them asking about me and that specific job. The customer never called me and complained and so curious to what was going on i contacted the sheriff to try and see what the problem was and he more or less accused me of fraud I told him I did not intend to do anything wrong and if I did or if my customer was unhappy I'd give the money back he told me to take the money to the customers bank and have them deposit it back into the account then bring the recipe of the transaction to the sheriffs office. Which my wife has done. So my question is after doing all that can they still charge me

1 Lawyer Answer
Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Wheeling, IL
  • Licensed in Illinois

A: That is why is it always essential to enter in a written contact with all terms and conditions spelled out in a clear form. That way, with any misunderstanding you have a written contact signed by both parties.

Now, back to your matter at hand.

In my professional opinion the local sheriff overstepped his authority by accusing you of fraud without making a proper investigation. Secondly, another thing you did wrong is handling it without a licensed counsel.

I am certain if a licensed attorney would contact the sheriff's office the sheriff would not direct him or her to the closest bank to deposit the money for the work performed by you without any evidence or conclusions that the work was not completed properly.

Basically, you were railroaded and now you know that you have to protect your legal rights using licensed professionals.

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