CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More customers are complaining about Randy Briel.
Darlene and Dwight Evans hired Briel to build a sunroom. They said they paid Briel $32,000 and that he was supposed to finish the project almost a year ago.
Briel did some work but they said he didn't do it all properly.
They said the wiring, windows, fireplace, ceiling and the permit had problems.
"It's been one frustration after another," Darlene Evans said.
The Better Business Bureau said it has more than 100 complaints against him.
"He's a serial offender. This is what he does," BBB President Tom Bartholomy said.
Action 9's been investigating customer complaints against Briel since 2011. He's the contractor Action 9's gotten the most complaints about. Homeowners said Briel took their money but didn't do all of the work.
Briel served time in both Carolinas for financial crimes. In North Carolina, he was convicted of obtaining property by false pretenses. He got out of prison in 2011. In South Carolina, he was convicted of breach of trust. He got out in 2012.
Briel's changed business names so often that it's hard for consumers to research reviews on him. The BBB said he's up to 27 business names.
The BBB said Briel doesn't usually do projects over $30,000. So legally, he doesn't need a general contractor's license and isn't subject to all the laws covering those contractors.
"There's no way I know of getting him to stop, other than people just not hiring him," Bartholomy said.
When Action 9 called Briel, he said he just got out of the business. Then he said he's working for his brother. Action 9 tried to ask more questions but Briel hung the telephone up.
When you research a contractor, research the contractor's name, not just the company's name. That way you should find a lot more information, including news reports like this one.