LAKEWOOD, Ohio (WOIO) – A Lakewood resident said she and her husband were thousands of dollars short because of someone they trusted.

“I never would have thought you were this kind of man,” Christine Main said.

Main said she and her husband lost a total of $16,000.

He added that he had documents, bank statements and court records showing that the contractor he hired, Stephan Kaczmarski, never fulfilled his end of the bargain.

Main reached out to 19 Troubleshooters for help

“I retired because my husband had Alzheimer’s disease,” Main said. “We thought we should do the verandas. We looked at my retirement and said why not convert it into cash.

Main said she and her husband have hired and trusted Kaczmarski in the past.

In 2022, he was paid 2/3 of the cost of repairing the torn siding and patching holes in the porch.

By August 2024, Main said, Kaczmarski realized he would never finish the job.

Through her own investigation, she learned that his permit had expired in February and took him to court.

“Not only will he fail to repay the money, but he will have a serious crime to his name. Is that how you want it? said Ana.

19 Troubleshooter also did some research.

Grand jury indicted Kaczmarski, Cuyahoga County Court Records show and accused him of theft.

Kaczmarski’s attorney reached out to 19 Troubleshooters.

He claims his client was unaware of any criminal charges and offered to pay some of what he owed Mains, but not the full $16,000.

Kaczmarski’s lawyer also said his client was willing to finish the job; but Main said he was no longer allowed to visit the Lakewood home by law.

Main said they are looking for a new contractor.

“It’s a shame because you work so hard to do the things you want to do and then someone takes that away from you,” Main said.

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