A Port Vue contractor is facing criminal charges after allegedly forging an insurance policy and failing to complete a home renovation project.Action News Investigates: Click the video player above to watch the report.Edwin Pope, 70, was hired to do an addition at the Whitehall home of Zachary and Haley Childers.The Childerses said Pope left the job unfinished after they paid him $38,000. They were forced to hire another contractor to finish the addition.“There really hasn’t been an end in sight with the financial impact. It’s very scary,” Haley Childers said.According to a criminal complaint, before signing a contract with Pope, the Childerses asked him for proof of insurance.Pope showed them a policy under a different company name and said he was working with that company. But that company’s owner told police he never signed an agreement to do any projects with Pope.Pope admitted to police that he altered the insurance policy that he got from the other company, according to the criminal complaint.The Childerses said they thought they were on solid ground when Pope showed them his insurance policy.“When you’re provided a signed contract with insurance, what more do you think you need to do?” Zachary Childers said.No one answered the door at Pope’s Port Vue home. He did not respond to multiple calls and text messages.The Childerses said they have to spend thousands more to finish the project and they have to wear N95 masks because of mold concerns.“It’s a large financial burden. It’s a large emotional burden, stressful to say the least with a young family,” Zachary Childers said.Pope is facing multiple felony charges including forgery and home improvement fraud. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 25.
A Port Vue contractor is facing criminal charges after allegedly forging an insurance policy and failing to complete a home renovation project.
Action News Investigates: Click the video player above to watch the report.
Edwin Pope, 70, was hired to do an addition at the Whitehall home of Zachary and Haley Childers.
The Childerses said Pope left the job unfinished after they paid him $38,000. They were forced to hire another contractor to finish the addition.
“There really hasn’t been an end in sight with the financial impact. It’s very scary,” Haley Childers said.
According to a criminal complaint, before signing a contract with Pope, the Childerses asked him for proof of insurance.
Pope showed them a policy under a different company name and said he was working with that company. But that company’s owner told police he never signed an agreement to do any projects with Pope.
Pope admitted to police that he altered the insurance policy that he got from the other company, according to the criminal complaint.
The Childerses said they thought they were on solid ground when Pope showed them his insurance policy.
“When you’re provided a signed contract with insurance, what more do you think you need to do?” Zachary Childers said.
No one answered the door at Pope’s Port Vue home. He did not respond to multiple calls and text messages.
The Childerses said they have to spend thousands more to finish the project and they have to wear N95 masks because of mold concerns.
“It’s a large financial burden. It’s a large emotional burden, stressful to say the least with a young family,” Zachary Childers said.
Pope is facing multiple felony charges including forgery and home improvement fraud. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 25.
