ALBERTVILLE, Minn. — A 53-year-old Albertville man is charged in connection with swindling Minnesota home owners out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Richard Patrick Wooton is charged with a felony offense of swindling 42 victims, and one of the property’s had a value of more than $35,000, according to a criminal complaint released June 2.
The complaint said that 35 of the victims lost up to $849,734.71.
The state says several other suppliers and subcontractors sued Wooton and Crossroads Remodeling LLC for other outstanding balances.
Wooton worked on behalf of Crossroads Remodeling in Hennepin, Wright and Sherburne counties without proper licensure in 2016, the complaint reads. Between July 2017 and July 2018, Wooton obtained remodeling contracts from 35 homeowners. He allegedly told victims to pay most of the contract up front before any work had been completed.
Wooton offered a 10% discount to anyone obliged to pay the contract early in the process.
The complaint illustrates a pattern of criminal conduct, including six previous felony convictions across three decades.
Wooton's next omnibus court hearing is scheduled for July 21, and if convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
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