CHILLICOTHE (25 NEWS) – A 62-year-old Peoria County woman says she was scammed out of nearly $10,000 by a contractor. That man was arrested at the end of December. The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office says it took them two weeks to find him.
“I don’t want him doing this to anybody else. I feel like a fool. I’m embarrassed,” said 62-year-old, Charlotte Bryant.
Bryant is a cancer survivor, living with COPD, neuropathy and osteoporosis.
She was looking for someone to make repairs on her house, when she stumbled across a ‘Zimmerman and Sons LLC’ business card at a gas station.
“All I wanted was for my home to be redone,” said Bryant.
After contacting Brandon Zimmerman back in October, she said he came over and drew up a contract. In it, he gave her a roughly $14,000 estimate for at least seven construction jobs.
“I gave him $3,000,” Bryant continued, “He said he needed half down, plus labor.”
The contract was signed and dated, Nov. 4th, 2021. It read, “Job will be finished within 10 days as long as we don’t run into any serious problems.”
Then, she says, Zimmerman started the job.
“He just tore apart the laundry room,” said Bryant.
Next, she says Zimmerman told her he needed more money for materials.
“I gave him $6,000 then,” said Bryant.
But, her kitchen ceiling is still cracked. He left uncovered insulation in the laundry room and a hole in the floor.
A Sheriff’s report indicates Zimmerman was only at her home for a total of four hours working. After only gutting her laundry room, Bryant asked when Zimmerman would be back. She says he asked for another $5,500 for labor.
“That’s when I blew,” Bryant continued, “I said, ‘You have 24 hours to get me my $9,000 or I’m calling the police.’”
According to the report, that’s when Zimmerman went to file for renter’s insurance.
“Mr. Zimmerman went through great lengths to try and cover this up,” said Capt. Chris Watkins, with the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Then, he filed his own police report, claiming his home was robbed. Along with it, $8,000 dollars of Bryant’s money now missing.
“He didn’t buy the materials that was promised, he tore down the walls and that was about it. He didn’t start the renovation at all,” said Watkins.
Zimmerman later admitted he spent $500 of Bryant’s money to pay his rent, but says he was going to take it off labor costs.
“It was pretty clear that this individual, his intent was to defraud her out of money,” said Watkins.
But Watkins says Bryant was not Zimmerman’s first alleged victim.
“Mr. Zimmerman had numerous prior warrants for forgery, prior to this case,” said Watkins.
25 News tried several times to reach Zimmerman, by phone, home, and email. Detectives say it took them two weeks to find him.
In the report, Zimmerman says he was going to finish the job until Bryant asked for her money back.
“He admitted that he messed up, he didn’t completely confess,” said Watkins.
Zimmerman was arrested late December for financial exploitation of the elderly and home repair fraud of the elderly, both class 2 felonies.
Bryant says at this point, she just wants her money back to finish the repairs on her home.
“I’ll probably be dead before I get my money back,” said Bryant.
Watkins says people can avoid scams like this by looking up reviews on the contractor and asking them for a reference.
As of now, the Peoria County State’s Attorney, Jodi Hoos, says they are reviewing charges and a court date is scheduled for Feb. 23rd.
Zimmerman is still out on bond in Peoria County.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Bryant with repair costs.
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