P.E.I. contractor gets jail for theft, using forged building permits
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A contractor who was paid 1000’s of {dollars} by the homeowners of three P.E.I. properties and who didn’t carry out any work has been sentenced to twenty months in jail for theft and utilizing solid property improvement permits.
“These crimes have been motivated by self-interest,” mentioned Crown lawyer Lisa Goulden at Colton Wesley David Chaulk’s sentencing on March 15 in Charlottetown provincial court docket.
“There is no such thing as a reference to any medical situation or addictions or different monetary pressures or stressors or private circumstances that may encourage his actions.”
Chaulk, 28, appeared by video from the provincial correctional centre for sentencing. The P.E.I. contractor was initially charged with three counts of fraud, however as an alternative pleaded responsible on Jan. 25 to a few counts of theft over $5,000 in addition to to utilizing a solid doc, inflicting somebody to behave upon a solid doc as if it have been real, and lacking court docket.
Theft, utilizing solid improvement paperwork
In keeping with an agreed assertion of information, on Aug. 10, 2021, Chaulk, proprietor of CWD Building, entered a $40,000 contract with an Alberta girl (who resides in that province) to do renovation work at her trailer on Route 2 in Hunter River, P.E.I. At Chaulk’s request, she gave him more cash to purchase supplies. The lady realized that Chaulk didn’t do the work or purchase any supplies, so she fired him on Aug. 19, 2021, after paying him $34,486.95. Chaulk did dig holes across the property and destroyed a deck when he eliminated it from the trailer. He additionally purchased two cans of spray foam.
“Chaulk admitted to (her) that he had used the cash to purchase a tractor,” defined Goulden.
The lady reported the matter to the RCMP on Jan. 18, 2022. She sued Chaulk in P.E.I. Supreme Courtroom for $33,714.30. Chaulk has repaid about $952 on that civil judgment.
Then, on Dec. 7, 2021, a Bonshaw girl entered right into a contract with Chaulk for $68,133.41 to construct a storage at her property. The lady paid Chaulk $16,523.23, however he didn’t do any of the work or buy any supplies. He lower down a number of bushes. Chaulk additionally offered the lady with a solid improvement allow from the Metropolis of Summerside. The lady reported the matter to the RCMP on Could 2, 2022.
Chaulk additionally entered right into a contract in January 2022 with a Brazilian couple residing in that nation to construct a small dwelling on their Poplar Level, P.E.I., property for $70,000. When the couple requested proof from Chaulk that he had obtained constructing permits, he offered them on Jan. 23, 2022, with a falsified Municipality of Wellington constructing allow. The municipality is situated about 140 kilometres from the property, or a two-hour drive. They requested the $17,000 paid to Chaulk be returned, however he didn’t reply. The couple notified the RCMP on Aug. 23, 2022.
In every case, the purchasers grew to become suspicious when Chaulk pressured them for more cash (as a result of excessive price of supplies) and demanded proof that the work had been executed. Chaulk used solid constructing permits to hide the offences and attempt to safe more cash from the victims, mentioned Goulden. A cost that Chaulk additionally used a solid City of Three Rivers improvement allow utility with respect to the Brazilian couple was stayed.
Chaulk arrested in Newfoundland
Chaulk missed court docket on Aug. 22, 2022 and an arrest warrant was issued. Chaulk had been residing in New Brunswick however left for Newfoundland and Labrador. He was arrested in Clarenville, NL. on Oct. 21, 2022, and dropped at P.E.I. He was working at a pizza restaurant whereas in Newfoundland, defined defence lawyer Chera-Lee Gomez. Gomez added that Chaulk has been coping with post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD) since responding to a suicide name in 2018 whereas serving as a volunteer firefighter on P.E.I. Chaulk apologized in court docket for his actions.
Choose Nancy Orr accepted a joint sentence suggestion from Goulden and Gomez for 20 months in jail, three years of probation and enhanced credit score of 217 days for time already served in custody.
As well as, Chaulk was ordered to pay the Bonshaw property proprietor $16,523.25 and the Brazilian couple $17,000 in restitution. The Alberta girl already has a civil judgment in opposition to Chaulk to get well the quantity owed. Chaulk’s probation features a situation that he should advise anybody trying to rent him of his prison file and his sentence on these issues.
Terrence McEachern is a justice reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He will be reached by e-mail at [email protected] and will be adopted on Twitter @terry_mcn.
