Contractor collects thousands before abandoning job

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Owners of a south Fulton County home said they had to buy thousands of dollars in fixtures and building materials after their contractor walked off the job.

The contractor filed for bankruptcy, but not before cashing nearly $100,000 in questionable checks.

"We thought we were going to get a house that you could just walk into, move into and start living in. That's not what happened," said homeowner India Williams.

"Much of what I'm looking at has been paid for twice?" asked Channel 2's Jim Strickland.

"Correct," she replied.

Williams and husband Jacques say now bankrupt construction company Pilcher and Pettus walked off the job after doing only fraction of the work for which the Williams paid.

The contractor even got Bank of America to accept checks drawn on the Williams' construction loan without Jacques Williams' required signature. Only the contractor endorsement appears.

"He got the money, and we didn't get a house, and those checks don't have either of our signature on them," said Williams, a local physician.

The treasurer of Pilcher and Pettus told Strickland, "All of the payments we received were reimbursements for completed work."

The contractor also claims the Williams actually owe an additional $100,000 for additional work done to satisfy building inspectors.

Strickland didn't hear back from Bank of America, but the Williams' bank said Bank of America is reviewing the case.

WSBTV