Contractors Plead Guilty to $5M Fraud Scheme Targeting Homeowners

The Dream Home Turned Nightmare

• 💡 Kristen Newman hired Christopher and Raquel Judge, who claimed to be an architect, to build her dream home.
• ⚠️ Construction dragged on, and when Newman asked questions, the judges stopped communicating, leaving her with a nightmare.

Unfinished and Unsafe Houses

• 🏠 The Judges also took nearly $200,000 from Lane Simmons for a remodel, promising a "Chip and Joanna Gains type of vibe."
• 🛠️ Simmons discovered that everything done was wrong, with materials peeling off and safety concerns, requiring tens of thousands more to fix.
• 🚨 A family friend contractor described the work as unsafe and the worst job they had ever seen.

Federal Fraud Charges and Guilty Pleas

• ⚖️ The Judges pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding over 40 people out of nearly $5 million.
• 🚫 The prosecution emphasized that this was a deliberate choice to lie and steal, not just poor business decisions.

Warning to Homeowners

• 📢 Newman is selling her unfinished home, and Simmons warns that if a contractor's bid is cheap, it's likely for a reason.
• 🔍 Detective Brian Brennan of Ulus PD was instrumental in taking the case, calling the actions "absolutely criminal."