The Case of the Bad Contractor
Not only did she get angry she called for action. Our investigation uncovered a number of complaints and now the contractor is in big trouble with the law.
By now,
Lynn should be enjoying her finished basement instead she's surrounded by bare walls, a cement floor, and a mountain of frustration.
Lelina Gianfrancesco:
He gave me a really nice estimate, he seemed like a really trust worthy person.
What Lynn didn't realize at the time was this so called "trust worthy" person was not a registered contractor when she hired him.
I thought it was a great price; he wanted 1/2 up front which I gave him...
Lynn paid him $3-thousand dollars and an additional $200 deposit to install a shed in the backyard.
Lelina Gianfrancesco:
�He did a little work on the shed, he put up three walls and that's it and i haven't seen or heard from him since then!�
That's when Lynn called for action.
Lelina Gianfrancesco:
My mom said, �Call Susan Hogan on channel 12! And i said alright!�
Call for action tried tracking down Anthony Gobbi, his last known address is now a retail store...
We uncovered even more complaints against the contractor, Anthony Gobbi and his company, Horizon Home Improvement. George Whalen at the Rhode Island Contractor's Registration Board tells us he has six complaints, four which are still ongoing.
George Whalen:
�You really have to do your homework in advance.�
Whalen says all too often, consumers neglect to check a contractor's registration, or hand over way to much money up front...Lynn gave Gobbi $3000 even before he began.
George Whalen:
�If that's a $6000 job, that's 50% upfront, I would highly recommend never putting that much money up front.�
As for Lynn, she's come to the realization her $3000 and her contractor is long gone.
Lelina Gianfrancesco:
�I think if I learned anything, it's to really dig and investigate people because you never know.�
Call For Action has also learned that Anthony Gobbi was a "no show" at a recent hearing against him. So now, a final order has been issued by the Contractor's Registration Board if he ignores that then he could be criminally prosecuted.
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