KOSCIUSKO — A Pierceton man was arrested after police say he accepted payment for a home improvement project but never completed the work.

Christopher Eugene Staley

Christopher Eugene Staley, 41, 8631 East CR 250S, Pierceton, is being charged with home improvement fraud, a level 6 felony.

On July 11, an officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department spoke with a local homeowner. The homeowner advised that on Aug. 24, 2017, he signed a contract with Staley, doing business as LexLii Contracting. The contract was in the amount of $10,000 to install a seawall at his residence.

The homeowner wrote Staley a down payment check for $3,000. The check was cashed and deposited into a LexLii Contracting bank account on Aug. 25, 2017. Staley advised that the work was to begin in September or October.

The homeowner attempted to contact Staley multiple times. As of July 19, no work has been done on the project and Staley has not returned any money.

Staley was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on July 28, with a $10,250 surety and cash bond.