Toledo Woman Claims Contractor Scammed Her Out of $153,000

TOLEDO, Ohio — A 74-year-old Toledo woman has accused a local contractor of scamming her out of thousands of dollars, claiming he used the funds meant for home repairs to purchase a bar instead.

Tyrelle Lawrence, the contractor in question, was arrested following the allegations. The elderly woman, whose home was damaged in a fire, hired Lawrence to carry out repairs, believing he would restore the property. However, she claims the work was never completed despite paying him a substantial sum—$153,000.

In a call made to police, the woman expressed her frustration. “I had a house and the house caught on fire, and this contractor said that he can put it together and I’ve been waiting patiently for a year for him to do something. I believe I’ve been scammed,” she said.

When asked by the dispatcher how much she paid Lawrence, the woman responded, “Too much.”

The woman’s home, located on Belmont Avenue, was supposed to be repaired by December 2023. Court documents reveal that the check issued to Lawrence’s business, “Bankroll Housing CFN,” was cashed, and the contractor allegedly used the money to purchase an establishment called the Upscale Bar and Lounge.

Lawrence, however, denies the accusations, claiming he did complete some work on the house, including installing a new roof, gutting the interior, and wiring the property for electricity. He asserts that the contract was made with the woman’s nephew, not directly with her.

“If you know me, you know my character—not to take from nobody, especially not an older person,” Lawrence stated. “I still got the money. I still have my funds that I have to do the work. I still went in the house and did the work.”

Despite Lawrence’s defense, the elderly woman is adamant that the repairs were never finished and is now demanding that the house be torn down, expressing a complete loss of trust in the contractor.

The case has drawn attention to potential issues in the contracting industry, particularly when it comes to safeguarding vulnerable individuals like the elderly. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine whether Lawrence’s actions constitute fraud.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the woman’s hopes for a resolution remain uncertain, while Lawrence maintains his innocence, insisting that his actions were in line with the terms of the agreement.