MADISON, Wis. — A contractor accused of scamming dozens of customers and working under three business names, prompting dozens of calls to News 3 Now’s Call for Action team, had his day in Dane County court Thursday.
Tyler Hansen faces criminal charges of theft by a contractor for between $10,000 and $100,000.
News 3 Now’s Leah Linschied tried and tried again to get in touch with Hansen in August of last year as part of a report on the more than 25 cases of customers being scammed out of contractor work at the time. Dean Schroeder was one of them.
“The windows leak air, the doors are damaged; even my front door of the house is being held on packaging tape,” Schroeder told News 3 Now in August.
RELATED: Call for Action: Dozens of customers complain of contractor’s work
Since speaking with Schroeder and others last year, Hansen has been charged with fraud and other crimes in at least two Wisconsin counties. Hansen and his wife — along with a third employee –are expected to soon face additional charges in Sauk, Waukesha, Walworth, and Green counties as well.
During Hansen’s first appearance in Dane County court on Thursday, prosecutors asked that Hansen be held on a $10,000 bond.
“There are multiple counties that have similar charges against this defendant and his codefendant,” prosecutors said. “They’ve stolen $200,000 in a similar manner.”
Hansen, while defending himself for the first time, said he wouldn’t be able to pay that kind of money for his release.
“I’m working diligently to satisfy contracts and give refunds,” Hansen said. “I’ve given over 80 refunds in the last year. We’re working closely with the customer to do this. I wouldn’t be able to do that if I had to come up with that kind of money.”
Hansen added he’s now got a real job and is trying to find his way back to restitution.
“If I’m incarcerated right now for bail, I’m going to lose that job and the ability to pay these people back,” Hansen said. “I just paid two more customers back last week. We’re working really hard to do that.”
Hansen’s testimony ultimately convinced Judge David Conway to forego a cash bond, giving Hansen a signature bond instead. His next court appearance is a status conference scheduled for January 20.
These cases are far from over. Our Call for Action team is in touch with more victims you’ll hear from soon.
If you have a consumer issue you’d like the Call for Action team to review, click or tap here.
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