'If I had a firearm, I probably would have used it' | More alleged victims come forward accusing contractor of taking money
WUSA9 has learned Richard Craig Tadlock, a Virginia home contractor facing felony charges for consumer crimes, also has allegations dating back to the 1990s.
For nine months, WUSA9 has been investigating a Virginia-based home contractor accused of accepting money from nearly a dozen homeowners and failing to build houses he was hired to construct. Richard Craig Tadlock was arrested hours after WUSA9 published our first report, and he now faces six felony charges.
But now, we've learned of new allegations against the same man, this time in Maryland, dating back 30 years.
Chapter 1 A dream house deferred
Sitting in his kitchen surrounded by family photos and an array of papers, Alan Downes, 70, said his experience with Tadlock was one he thought he could forget.
"For 30 years, it kind of went away," Downes said as he reflected.
One afternoon, tucked in his office, sifting through YouTube videos, Downes had stumbled upon multiple WUSA 9 investigations profiling Tadlock and the allegations surrounding his construction work throughout Fairfax County. Multiple homeowners told WUSA9 Tadlock failed to complete construction projects he was paid for, ultimately leading to Tadlock being charged by Fairfax County Police with six felony counts including one count of obtaining money by false pretense and five for advance pay and larceny for failure to perform construction.
Tadlock has denied all the allegations.
“These people are lying and conniving people,” explained Tadlock in a phone interview with WUSA9’s Larry Miller in the summer of 2023.
Downes remembered when he hired Tadlock in 1994 to construct a house for him, his wife and their two children. Downes claimed Tadlock made off with $119,000 and left him with an unfinished house.
"I was just so distraught," Downes said. "He smiled and he smirked, and he walked off like 'Haha.' He got away with it here."
Documents, reviewed by WUSA9, showed a construction contract between Downes and Sun Development Corporation Custom Homes. Richard Craig Tadlock was vice president of operations for the company, documents showed.
Downes said Tadlock oversaw construction of his house and described one of their last conversations.
"[Tadlock] said, 'we're going to walk away. Your house is unfinished, so, it's going to be up to you to finish the house,'" Downes recalled.
Shocked, Downes was left scrambling to figure out how to get his house completed.
"I had no idea about building a house," Downes said. "I'm an office guy."
Downes said he called the bank and drew down the remaining funds on his construction loan, hired contractors and vendors. He even spent an additional $15,000 above the construction loan, to finish his house.
"We have no gutters on the house. We still don't today," Downes said. "And I still don't have a finished garage. If I had a firearm, I probably would have used it.”
Chapter 2 A judgement never paid
In 2006, Scott and Andra Grimes signed a contract with Tadlock to build a house in Ellicott City, Maryland for their family. Scott inherited land from a relative.
On the hunt for a contractor, the couple found Tadlock through an advertised home improvement service. They thought the service would lead them to a reputable builder, but what they got was more than what they bargained for.
“We paid more than he had performed," said Scott Grimes, as he reflected on his experience.
But like so many other families WUSA9 interviewed, the Grimes family said Tadlock only offered them excuses, work delays or no work at all on their house. The Grimes' added that Tadlock demanded immediate payment for change orders that were never completed.
“We paid him a $25,000 change order to complete the basement: meaning flooring, dry wall, a bathroom, fireplace,” said Andra Grimes. “When he left, there was a concrete floor, framing materials, some rooms were framed. No dry wall, No carpet. No bathroom. No fireplace.
Tadlock did not respond to WUSA9 when contacted for comment.
The Grimes' experience with Tadlock got so bad, they sued the builder in 2008 and won. A Howard County Circuit Court Judge ordered Tadlock to pay a judgment of $168,862. The couple said they were never paid and claimed Tadlock avoided them for years.
“There's a statute of limitations on how long that judgement is in effect, and after 10 years, it's like the debt judgment never happened,” said Scott Grimes. “I kick myself for letting him go.”
The alleged victims in Virginia, however, are not letting it go. There's a court date scheduled with Tadlock set for April 30.
“I hope things work out for those folks in Virginia,” Downes said.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
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