COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Hudson man has been ordered to pay roughly $2.4 million for defrauding almost 20 customers through his crooked construction business.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Russo ruled Neil Wolfe broke state consumer protection laws at least 71 times through his now defunct company Neil Construction. The 68-year-old defendant must now pay $663,000 to the 19 people he scammed, plus $1.775 million in civil penalties.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost first sued Wolfe and his company back in 2021, with the state alleging Wolfe would pocket customers' downpayments for home improvement jobs while he performed inadequate work, if any at all. Officials also found Wolfe had not even registered as a contractor and failed to obtain permits while also bilking consumers into unfair contacts.
Yost's office says Wolfe was twice found in contempt of court during the two-year proceedings. In addition, court records show he is currently serving a three-year prison sentence after being convicted of stealing from yet another customer in Portage County.
"The judge's decision says it all, imposing the maximum civil penalties allowed," Yost said in a statement Tuesday. "This should serve as a strong deterrent to any business owner who thinks they can get away with stealing from Ohioans."
Neil Construction's $37,000 in assets will be liquidated as part of the restitution. Wolfe must pay the remaining $625,873 out of his own pocket.
