Grand Rapids Man Arrested After Defrauding Construction Clients

It's another one of those stories where you wouldn't think it would happen around you, but here it is. A 23-year-old Grand Rapids man has been arrested for fraud after he used money meant for contracting projects on personal purchases.

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David Jenkins

On the surface, Jenkins Estates LTD, owned by president David Jenkins, is a Grand Rapids-based home-building company. However, the company is built on a lie. According to a statement from the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office, David Jenkins and his company Jenkins LTD are facing 11 lawsuits after he allegedly defrauded clients, spending money he was given to begin home-building projects to fund his luxurious lifestyle.

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After Leelanau Sheriffs began receiving complaints of contractors not being paid, they began investigating Jenkins LTD and discovered that the Grand Rapids Police Department also had an open investigation into the company for similar complaints in the area. On April 3rd, Jenkins turned himself in to Grand Rapids Sheriff's Office on charges of False Pretenses - $100,000 or more (a 20-year felony) and Contractor Fraud - Fraudulent use of Building Contract Fund.

The Ploeg Family

The largest fraud comes from a couple that, by the time the contractors quit working after not being paid, did not have a roof, doors, or windows despite pouring $800,000 into a home. The couple, who live in Georgia but were building a home in Michigan, believes that they have paid $800,000 for $350,000 worth of work. WOODTV wrote a great piece on the entire Jenkins saga, detailing interviews with multiple victim families.

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The WOODTV article details that Jenkins, despite his young age, used his confidence to gain people's trust and then ran off with their money.

(Jenkins) likes to go after people who pay cash so there's no bank in between and then he'll demand a lot of the money upfront...and then none of the subs get paid.

The victims do not expect to get their money back. If you have any information about Jenkins Estates LTD, contact Leelanau County Dispatch at 231-256-8800.