February 22, 2019 at 4:41 p.m.
Minocqua man facing felony theft by contractor charge in connection with St. Germain project
Minocqua man facing felony theft by contractor charge in connection with St. Germain project
By Abigail Bostwick-
Gerald Stodola, 57, Minocqua, of Stodola Contracting Solutions of Hazelhurst, used the money received from the St. Germain Chamber for something besides payment of claims due for labor and materials in the contracted new construction project of their chamber building last spring, according to the criminal complaint.
The chamber told investigating deputies they are at a loss of $97,189. Stodola is charged there with felony theft by contractor, which could result in 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
In another case, Stodola is alleged to have misspent funds received from a private Vilas County couple who hired Stodola to remodel part of their home, resulting in another felony theft by contractor charge. He is also charged there with felony theft by contractor in addition to fail/give timely notice of contract delay, a misdemeanor which could result in one year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.
The St. Germain Chamber reported in January to the Vilas County Sheriff's Department that they received a bid on March 2, 2018, from Stodola Contracting Solutions, LTD, owned by Stodola, to construct their updated chamber building. By June, they had signed a contract and given Stodola a 10 percent down payment, the agreement being the funds would be used for products needed to begin construction, the court complaint states.
Later that month, a lien waiver was signed and dated with a check issued from the chamber for $51,000 for more products. Those items were never paid for, either. In August, a draw was requested by Stodola Contracting from the chamber for over $29,100 to pay laborers. Sub-contractors were paid from that amount, but not after that date, criminal charge reports state.
The chamber told the investigating deputy that several sub-contractors began to ask why they were not being paid. Several workers, including plumbing, electricians and others also began questioning chamber staff when they'd get a check. Shortly thereafter, the chamber reported being asked for yet another $46,189 from Stodola Contracting. It was then officials at the chamber become suspicious, records indicate.
After meeting with Stodola, the chamber told a deputy he informed them "... he used that money to pay someone else. He used the money to pay another person at a different job site and not the chamber."
Chamber officials said they wished to pursue criminal charges as they understood Stodola's intention was to file for bankruptcy.
"The Chamber spent thousands of dollars, with hopes Stodola Contracting would follow through and complete the project for the community of St. Germain, but never did," the chamber is noted to have told the investigator.
The St. Germain Chamber noted they were at a $97,189 loss. A different company was hired to finish the construction.
In the Vilas County private customer case, Vilas County Sheriff's Department investigators learned the couple had hired Stodola Contracting in December 2018 to remodel their kitchen, basement and main floor. The victim said he paid Stodola $80,000 directly with two checks that had cleared.
The base contract had a total of almost $95,000 with an option of a screened porch project at about $27,000.
The customer told deputies "much of the work had not been done" and it was supposed to be done in four weeks. When confronted, Stodola reportedly told the customer he "was not paying attention to his job and that he would start." Not much work was completed after that, however, the customer told deputies.
The couple had to pay sub-contractors out of pocket with their own money of about $26,000. If that was taken off the contract with Stodola, the customer stated he estimated a $47,000 loss.
Charges are filed only against Stodola. An initial appearance in both cases is set for the morning of March 4.
Several civil suits are also open against Stodola in Oneida and Iron counties, brought forth by building supply companies. There is also an active foreclosure against him and several closed civil suit judgements since 2009.
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