A Jupiter man was arrested in connection with the theft of nearly $49,000.
Michael S. Fenton, 58, of Jupiter, was arrested Thursday and charged with grand theft of monies received by a contractor.
According to a report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, on April 21, 2022, the victims hired Fenton, who is the licensed owner of the Wine Design Studio, located in Jupiter, to build a custom wine cellar and cooling unit at the victims’ home.
Over several months, the victims paid Fenton a total of $48,922.50.
According to the report, when the victims sent the payments to Fenton, he never started the job but instead claimed he was still ordering the materials.
In 2023, the victims repeatedly contacted Fenton about the status of the project, but he did not answer back.
At that time, the victims requested a refund of the payments. At one point, the victims said Fenton said he was going out of business.
The report notes Fenton never filed for bankruptcy.
The victims were contacted by another man who knew Fenton and offered to complete the job for a fee, but the victims declined the offer.
The man told law enforcement that Fenton told him to contact the victims and provide them a quote. According to the man, he was told that he would be paid by the victims and Fenton never offered to pay him or supply any materials.
An investigation by the Palm Beach County Contractors Division determined Fenton was an unlicensed contractor and was fined $1,000.
In an interview with law enforcement, Fenton said he admitted to doing the contract with the victims but was no longer able to complete the job nor pay back the victims because of his mental health and planned bankruptcy.
Fenton was release from the Palm Beach County Jail on $5,000 bond and ordered by the court to not have contact with the victims.