NEGLEY, Ohio - A Trumbull County contractor is facing numerous charges after allegedly stealing money from a client in Columbiana County.

According to a criminal complaint filed in the Columbiana County Court of Common Pleas, the victim engaged in discussions with 38-year-old Jeffrey Hughes Jr. of Hubbard-based company, Hughes General Contracting Inc.

The complaint states that the two were in discussions about an addition the victim wanted to make to his home in Negley. 

According to the complaint an estimate of $156,500 was given on July 31, 2022 and was payable in three payments of $52,114.50 and one more payment of $62.60.  The first payment was allegedly made by the victim on August 9.

After the first payment, the victim made multiple requests for information on when work would begin, but according to the complaint, the victim got no response and no work ever began.

After the victim requested a refund of the initial deposit, Hughes allegedly never refunded him.

Hughes is charged with breach of implied contract, unjust enrichment, violation of Home Solicitation Sales Act, Violation of the Consumer Sales Practices Act, Violation of the Home Construction Services Suppliers Act, Fraud, Punitive Damages and Alter Ego.

Court records show a motion for default was filed in May of 2023 at the request of the victim.

According to court documents, the court had tried reaching out to Hughes via mail, which went ignored with Hughes never appearing in court or responding to the letters.

As of August 16, the case has been transferred to the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas according to court employees.