The owner of Honey Do’s Handy Service in Belle was arrested March 9 and charged with nine counts of defrauding consumers and financially exploiting the elderly.
Rodney G. Durbin, 51, of …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
The owner of Honey Do’s Handy Service in Belle was arrested March 9 and charged with nine counts of defrauding consumers and financially exploiting the elderly.
Rodney G. Durbin, 51, of Bland, was arrested on a Maries County warrant by members of the Maries County Sheriff’s Department and Bland Police Department.
Chief Scott John with the Maries County Sheriff’s Department Belle Division said on March 11 that they had been receiving reports about Durbin.
“We have received numerous complaints from citizens about misleading business practices and the consignment auction,” John confirmed. “Numerous people are filing reports that (Durbin) was not paying them for property that was sold.”
John said Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman worked the case personally and got the Missouri Attorney General’s Office involved.
Durbin, who is still being held, has been charged with seven counts alleging deceptive business practices and three counts of financial exploitation of an elderly/disabled person. Incidents took place between June 4, 2019, and April 28, 2021, according to the charges.
According to a statement released from Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt on March 9 about Durbin’s arrest, the charges in Maries County allege that Durbin falsely promised consumers that he would provide construction and moving services in exchange for upfront payments. However, once paid, Durbin only performed the minimal amount of work before abandoning the projects and refusing to issue refunds.
Durbin is being jointly prosecuted by Schmitt’s office as well as Maries County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Skouby.
According to Schmitt’s office, “Missourians who believe they may have been scammed by Durbin or any other contractor should file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office by calling the Consumer Protection hotline at 800-392-8222 or submitting a complaint online at ago.mo.gov.”
Durbin appeared before Judge Kerry G. Rowden on March 14 where he was given a copy of the complaint and PC statement. Durbin has been ordered to appear on March 22 for counsel status. He is being held on a $30,000 bond.
