SARASOTA COUNTY — Stephen Dukes, co-owner of HD Custom Homes in Englewood was arrested in Sarasota on a warrant for fraud and misapplication of construction funds. A warrant for business partner, Matthew Harden has been issued but Harden is still at large.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Detectives charged each man with one count of fraud and 13 counts of misapplication of construction funds.
The pair Englewood pair abandoned their South Gulf Cove HD Custom Homes model office, leaving more than customers with unfinished homes, liens, permit fees and unresolved housing issues. Many local subcontractors were also left unpaid.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Matthew Harden is asked to call the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office at 941-639-0013 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).