CINCINNATI) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that Joshua Salyers pleaded guilty today to nine counts of Theft from victims in Ohio and Kentucky who had suffered storm damage to their homes. Salyers, 39, of Butler County, Ohio, stole more than $43,000 from at least nine victims. The guilty pleas follow a joint investigation by the Attorney General's Economic Crimes Division, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, and the Jackson Township Police Department in Stark County, Ohio, in collaboration with Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters.
"Through our Economic Crimes Division and in partnership with local law enforcement, we are making good progress in holding scammers criminally liable," said Attorney General Mike DeWine.
Salyers ran a storm damage restoration company and took money from homeowners in Hamilton County, Butler County, Stark County, and Campbell County, Kentucky, to repair their homes after storms in 2010 and 2011. But Salyers never began the work and refused to refund their money. He was indicted in April by a Hamilton County grand jury. Sentencing is set for Sept. 21.
Bart Cosgrove, from the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section, Economic Crimes Division, was appointed as a special prosecuting attorney for the case. The Economic Crimes Division was established by Attorney General DeWine to assist in investigating and preparing criminal consumer fraud cases for local prosecution.
Attorney General DeWine encourages consumers to research a business with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and Better Business Bureau before making any payments. Consumers also should check with the Ohio Secretary of State to determine whether a business is registered with the state.
Consumers who believe they have been treated unfairly should file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General's Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or by calling 800-282-0515.
Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Mark Moretti: 614-466-3840