The Deck Dude, LLC Jonathan Cherup Absconded with $17,000 deposit and did no work Rockford Michigan

I contracted for a deck re-build using Azek material (plastic "wood" that requires little or no maintenance). I wanted to replace all the wood decking boards and the wood railing. I signed a contract on 5/26/2022, and gave a deposit of almost $17,000. $5400 was for Labor (1/3 of the labor), the balance was for all the material (up-front). The work was to begin in about 3 weeks, but the contractor/owner (Jonathan Cherup) had said it might be as soon as one week.

Months passed. Excuse after excuse. Excuses were many: "hit a deer", "my helper is out sick", "broke my foot", "covid", "have to isolate for 14 days after recovering from covid", "ate some bad pork", "went camping with the family", "had to clean up the camper by myself", "feeling worn out and doctor says I need to rest" -- you get the idea. Then there were many times where he said he would show up on a certain day -- but, simply didn't show up. No explanation, no call, no texts. Just no show.

There were odd emails and texts from Mr. Cherup with so many misspellings and mis-use of words and gramatical errors that deciphering them was next-to-impossible. We couldn't understand what he was trying to say! The delays, the lack of communication, the general lack of professionalism was getting to be beyond the pale.  We were starting to worry that this was a scam.

Finally, approaching winter, Mr. Cherup says he can't do the job. His doctor says he has to rest! He's managed to take on several other jobs during all this time. But, as for our job -- apparently he has no time. We ask for our money to be refunded. He says he can't do that until he sells a property! He has our $17K, has done no work at all for us, but can't manage to refund the money!!!

It has been 6 months since that time, the property has never even been listed for sale, and we have not heard a "peep" from Mr. Cherup. This is outright fraud. Or maybe a better term is EMBEZZLEMENT.

The Michigan State Police have been notified, and they have investigated my claim. Everything that I stated was found to be true. Mr. Cherup was interviewed by the police and -- as usual -- gave nonsensical, roundabout reasons why he couldn't refund the $ at this time. His statements to the police mirror our interactions with him: difficult to follow his reasoning, jumping from topic to topic with no clear thought line. His text messages and emails and voicemails are of similar quality: it is not clear what he is saying. Talking in circles is his "modus operandi". The police couldn't even follow.

So, STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY. You'll be glad I warned you. I am hoping that the DA will prosecute once the one-year mark has passed from the signing of the contract. But, until this guy is prosecuted and jailed, I am out $17K.