Consumers told the I-Team they paid several thousands dollars for unfinished work.
In ABC7's first report in 2024, several customers told the I-Team they paid a south suburban contractor for incomplete jobs or poor work. Now, that contractor is facing two criminal charges.
According to a Will County criminal complaint from December, Aaron McMann, the owner of Chi-Line Construction, now faces two, class-2 felony criminal charges. One is for "theft by deception," and another is for "aggravated Home repair fraud." All of it is related to consumer Kenneth Nading's complaint.
"I am glad he's being charged," Nading said. "Stealing money from an elderly disabled veteran is like taking candy from a baby and walking off with it and just laughing... I do believe he stole from me, a lot of money, $15,000."
The criminal complaint notes that Nading paid more than $15,000 for a down payment, and that McMann "failed to complete the agreed work."
Nading took a video of McMann and fired the contractor, he said, after waiting two months for a basement entryway to be finished. He was one of eight consumers who reached out to the I-Team in February of 2024.
They all said they hired McMann and Chi-Line Construction, and say they got incomplete jobs, or poor workmanship, after paying McMann anywhere from $2,000 to more than $100,000. Some people did get money back after disputing credit card charges.
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The I-Team also uncovered 15 complaints filed with the Illinois Attorney General against Chi-Line Construction. Seven were from the people in the I-Team's story.
Nading says he ended up having to hire a different contractor.
"I'm 70 years old and I needed a new entrance to my basement so I can get in and out of it, because I had a knee replacement," Nading said.
The Will County State's Attorney says the case was scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week. McMann has not yet entered a plea. ABC7 reached out to the contractor, and he has not yet responde.
In ABC7's first report, he declined to comment to the I-Team.