Police in Plymouth Township say that homeowners, local businesses and the township have fallen victim to a couple who sold the dream of home improvement but didn’t always get the job done.
Eric and Rachelle Catenacci are facing a long list of charges from home improvement fraud to theft and conspiracy among other related charges.
The criminal complaint against the couple is over 90 pages long and police said that they have talked to people who claim they were ripped off.
According to the police department, five homeowners have agreed to press charges, but based on information collected officials believe there are more victims of the Catenaccis out there.
Police said that Eric and Rachelle Catenacci have lived in Plymouth Township for many years and the couple runs Catenacci Construction, LLC. They’re also active in the community by being part of youth athletic programs.
But, for the past year, police have been taking a hard look at the couple’s businesses after multiple complaints were filed.
Customers reported unfinished work despite payment, materials that were left outside in the elements as well as jobs that were completed without proper permits.
In the criminal complaint against the couple, homes are pictured with roofing materials or siding removed which allowed for water to get inside which damaged the houses.
Others complained that costs would escalate despite no work being done.
Police said that the township also reported that work was not done to code.
In a photo in the complaint, a chimney could be seen venting in the attic.
“I’ve got four kids. He dogged me for $16,000 right before Christmas. That’s not cool,” roofing and siding contractor Joe O’Brien said. “He finally called me back and said, ‘Joe, I’m so sorry, my wife sent out a check to you. You should be getting it any day now’ He was lying to me.”
According to court documents, when a vendor working with the couple complained, Eric sent a response that read in part that he was, “pretty jammed up” and it was “hidden from him until it was bad” promising to pay the vendor 100% in full.
In another email, police said that Eric asked a homeowner for more money for a project that was not yet completed.
In the email, Eric thanked the customer and said that he’s two months behind with all of the bills stacking up.
Police said that they’ve talked with dozens of homeowners about Catenacci Construction, but not all are filing charges.
There was no one around the Catenacci’s Plymouth Township home on Monday, but neighbors told NBC10 that they are surprised by the charges.
NBC10 asked police if any of the reported victims have gotten their money back since many had to hire another contractor to get work completed.
Police explained that those who used credit cards were able to get some relief, but there are others who had to pay twice to get a single job completed.
As for the Catenacci’s, NBC10 reached out to the lawyer representing them, but we are waiting on a call back.
If you have any information about this case please call the Plymouth Township Police Department right away.
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