DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — A Delaware-based home improvement contractor is facing criminal charges in Bucks County after authorities say he took tens of thousands of dollars in advance payments for repair work that was never completed.
John Paoletti, 46, is currently wanted by police in Lower Makefield Township and Morrisville and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office in connection with four separate cases involving alleged fraud.
Investigators say Paoletti, owner of Choice Remodeling and Restoration, collected large upfront payments from homeowners-often following hail damage-and then failed to start or finish the promised work.
Confirmed losses from the cases exceed $80,000, according to officials.
Anthony DiMattia of Yardley said he was scammed out of more than $17,000 after Paoletti’s company approached him following a hailstorm in 2023.
“We haven’t received a dime,” DiMattia said. “My wife and I feel very naive. First-time homebuyers-we obviously learned our lesson.”
DiMattia said Paoletti promised a start date for the repairs but never showed up. “He kept pushing things back and then eventually stopped returning our calls and disappeared,” he said.
Court documents allege that in 2024, a woman lost $12,500 to Paoletti, while another homeowner lost $46,000. In 2023, a fourth victim reportedly lost $10,774.47. All incidents occurred in Morrisville.
“I don’t know what his motivation was and why he even bothered,” DiMattia said. “It’s frustrating-and it’s infuriating.”
In one case, when a customer demanded a refund, officials say Paoletti allegedly told them they would only receive their money back if they agreed not to press charges.
Attempts by Action News to reach Paoletti for comment on Thursday were unsuccessful. We also stopped by an office in Eagleville, Montgomery County, on Egypt that was closed.
“I would suggest anybody that has problems at their home contact someone that’s local or checks them out on the Better Business Bureau,” DiMattia said. “That’s what we were informed to do, but unfortunately, it was too late.”
“We’re very happy the police are actively looking for this guy,” he added.
Authorities say Paoletti has known ties to Morrisville, Pa., and Millsboro and Hockessin, Delaware. They believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone affected to come forward.
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