SUMTER, S.C. — A Sumter man has been charged after taking up to $37,000 for construction work that was never begun.
”Thousands of dollars were paid this individual for separate construction projects in the Eutawville area earlier this year,” Ravenell said. “But after several months, nothing has been done to even begin the these projects.”
Brandon Wharton, 36, has been charged with one count each of breach of trust over $10,000 and breach of trust between $2,000 and $10,000.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years and five years, respectively.
In January a Eutawville area resident hired the Sumter man after he came recommended from several trusted confidants. After an emailed contract was agreed upon, $7,000 was paid to Wharton.
After several days and no work being down for a sea wall at the resident’s property, she began inquiring as to when the work would begin.
For the next few months, the resident said she was given excuse after excuse, including a tale Wharton gave in which his wife was ill with cancer and in a Charleston area hospital.
However, a mutual friend advised the resident the man’s wife does not have cancer. That detail was confirmed when the resident reached out to Wharton’s wife, who stated she in fact did not have cancer and had heard of similar stories involving Wharton, according to the report.
In another case that began in February, a Eutawville couple contracted Wharton to rebuild a dock on their property with the agreed price of $50,000. The couple put down initially $25,000 for the job.
As before that job was delayed at first by Wharton explaining he had a sea wall to build for a Eutawville resident – the same who paid $7,000 and received nothing.
The man’s lack of work was then explained by an injury to Wharton on another job.
Months went by with no work being done, but Wharton asked for more money, which was paid.
Both the Eutawville resident and the couple called last month to inform Orangeburg County Sheriff’s investigators, who began putting together the timeline of the two cases.
Bond was set on Wharton at $20,000 during a hearing on Monday.
If anyone else has experienced similar instances with Wharton, they are asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.