Published: February 28, 2008 11:15 am            

Contractor accused of fraud

Phil Riddle

editor@weatherforddemocrat.com

A Weatherford construction contractor has been accused of bilking a handicapped Mineral Wells woman of more than $85,000, which he used to buy a motorcycle, a flat screen television and a computer system.

According to Susan Church, contractor Steven Burch of 4 Any Construction, not only took money for work not completed, but he illegally used her credit cards and online payment information and took $5,000 from her personal bank account.

“He has no heart,” Church said. “He has no conscience.”

Church, who suffers from a degenerative nerve disorder and is sometimes forced to use a wheelchair, has enlisted attorney Chad Cannon of Mineral Wells to help get legal relief.

Cannon reported Burch is the target of a criminal investigation in Mineral Wells, though he would not comment on specific charges that may be brought.

Attempts to contact Burch were unsuccessful. Telephone numbers listed for 4 Any Construction led to telephone company recordings noting the number was no longer valid.

The company’s Web site shows the following announcement to visitors:

“4 Any Construction has closed its doors. If you are a customer that has not been completed please CLICK HERE and leave us your name, address and telephone number.”

There is no button to click and leave information on the page.

According to Church, she hired Burch, who used to write a home improvement column in the Democrat, on the recommendation of an organization called Service Magic, which keeps a list of bonded, insured contractors.

Church alleges she and Burch came to an agreement late last year for replacing an underground greenhouse, replacing flooring in the house and installing a metal roof.

“We initially gave him $36,000 to special order some of the stuff,” Church said. “Then he came back to us and said the IRS had frozen his accounts and he couldn’t pay his crew or buy the material we had ordered and paid for.”

She said Burch, who promised to repay her, told her the only way the work could continue was if she would take on the payroll for his crew, and give him more money to order material.

“He is so likable,” she said, “so charming. I never thought he’d do this to us.”

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