A Utah County contractor has been charged with 25 counts of unprofessional conduct in a petition issued by state licensing regulators, who have also requested fines and disciplinary action be taken against the builder.
Eric Mabey, Orem, has a license to do contracting work under Mabey Development, but he has also done business as MD Homes and other names that aren't licensed, said the petition issued July 15 by the state Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.The division also accused Mabey of misrepresenting his financial status, not paying suppliers and subcontractors, performing work he is not licensed to do, fraudulently obtaining building permits and posing a threat to public safety by disregarding building and construction laws.
In one instance, Mabey submitted a bid last January to restore a fire-damaged home. Mabey misrepresented that his firm, MD Restoration, was licensed and bonded, the petition said, and his low bid of $42,500 was accepted.
Taking out a building permit for the project, the petition said, Mabey told Utah County inspectors that the project was only $29,736. When he was dismissed from the project, Mabey had added $24,000 to his final cost, the petition said.
The property owners dismissed Mabey from the job because of poor workmanship, the petition said. But Mabey attempted to receive full payment for the restoration project by threatening to "pull" the building permit, the petition said.
Mabey wrote the Utah County Building inspector and falsely stated he was not the contractor on the project and then cited several code violations, which were the result of Mabey's own work, the petition said.
He also threatened the property owners with foreclosing on the home, the petition said, and filed a fraudulent lien on the property for $11,900 when the balance left unpaid on Mabey's bid was $5,200.
The division has requested the state Contractors Licensing Board revoke Mabey's contractor's license and impose a $45,000 fine, the petition said. An Oct. 20 hearing before the board has been tentatively set.
Neither Mabey nor his attorney was available for comment Friday.