Attorney general Wayne Stenehjem has issued a “cease and desist” order against two men doing business as contractors without proper license.
Chad Peda and Somer Hilleboe were doing business as CS Companies, based in Horace. Stenehjem says a consumer contacted his office, saying he had paid the two men to tear down an old garage – and build a new one. However,
"They never completed the work," said Stenehjem. "They took $11,000 for that purpose, destroyed the garage, but didn't do anything to construct a new one."
Stenehjem says neither man is a licensed contractor.
"Mr. Peda has previous convictions in Ransom and Benson counties for theft of property," said Stenehjem. "He was doing the same kind of thing. And he owes $130,000 in restitution."
Stenehjem says Peda made a partial reimbursement – but appears to have skipped town. He says it’s a good reminder to people – to check out whether contractors have credentials.