A Boardman home improvement contractor accused of taking money for work never completed for homeowners in four counties has plead guilty in Columbiana County.

John Bartos III, 40, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft in the Columbiana County Court of Common Pleas in exchange for a felony plea agreement of up to 120 days in jail and restitution for the victims.

Bartos will be sentenced for these crimes on January 4, 2024.

While this brings one chapter to a close, Bartos still has cases in Trumbull, Mahoning and Lawrence Counties for theft as well.

According to the prosecutor’s office in Trumbull County Bartos appeared before a judge back in August and pleaded guilty to a bill of information charging him with ten felony counts of theft.

He's scheduled to be sentenced on these charges on October 24.
 

Investigators say Bartos contracted with ten different victims for home construction projects in several Trumbull County communities. None of the work was ever completed and the amount of money taken totaled $27,460.

Bartos could face up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in Trumbull County.

Meanwhile in Mahoning County, where Bartos was indicted on 27 counts, a pretrial hearing is set for November 9.
 

With his bond set at $30,000 in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Bartos awaits a formal arraignment in October on a charge of theft by deception.

Legal troubles for Bartos started when a local man hired Bartos' construction company to replace seven windows in his condo. After putting $2,000 down, the man never heard back from him, leading the man to file a complaint.

More than a dozen people from several local communities have filed similar complaints against Bartos after putting down payments on jobs that never got done.

The Better Business Bureau of Youngstown, which rates local businesses, gave Bartos’ Gridiron Doors & Windows LLC a letter grade of "F" for failing to respond to more than 14 complaints, among other reasons.