🔨 Contractor Jeffrey Crawford accepted $115,000 for a renovation project

🔨 The homeowner reported Crawford when he abandoned the project


LACEY — A contractor admitted to taking the down payment on a home renovation project and spending most of the money on himself, including gambling in Atlantic City.

Contractor Jeffrey Crawford, 50, of Hercules Renovations in Lacey Township, accepted a $115,000 down payment for a project to remodel the first floor of a Toms River home in September 2020. By March 2021, Crawford had "abandoned" the uncompleted project and caused "extensive damage" to the house, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.

The homeowner filed a complaint with the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs, which contacted Toms River police.

$70,000 of the project down payment spent on personal items

An investigation determined Crawford spent $40,000 on gaming and $30,000 on other personal expenses for a total of approximately $70,000. Crawford was taken into custody in October 2021 on a summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

Crawford pleaded guilty Monday to theft by failure to make required disposition of property and will be sentenced. Billhimer will recommend Crawford make $70,000 in restitution and serve three years in state prison.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom

NJ teachers and educators caught in sex crime busts

Over the past several years, state lawmakers have taken on the challenge of dealing with accused child predators among ranks of teachers and educators.

The following individuals were arrested and charged in 2021 and several years earlier. Some were convicted and sentenced to prison. Others have accepted plea deals for probation and some cases were still pending.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt

Farmer's Almanac says snow, rain expected to kick off 2024 in NJ

The latest Farmers' Almanac forecast for New Year's Day 2024 is in, and it doesn't look good for New Jersey.

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant

LOOK: A real hidden gem winery in South Jersey

Gallery Credit: Dennis Malloy

More From 94.3 The Point