TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The News 4 Tucson Investigators report that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Daniel Ridlinghafer, the former owner of the now-defunct Tucson Solar Pros.
Ridlinghafer was the focus of a lengthy investigation by News 4 Tucson in 2022, following complaints from numerous customers who claimed he abandoned their solar projects, leaving them burdened with costly loans.
Many of these loans were issued by Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union, which informed the News 4 Tucson Investigators that over 40 of its customers were affected.
Chief Investigative Reporter Chorus Nylander revealed that Ridlinghafer was apprehended during an FBI raid last week. A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted, “We saw a lot of cop cars with their guns drawn at the house. Eventually, we just hunkered down in an upstairs bedroom. It’s very cruel what he’s allegedly done.”
According to the federal complaint, Ridlinghafer and Tucson Solar Pros defrauded at least 25 individual customers and two federally insured credit unions—Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union and Nuvision—between January 2021 and July 2022. Ridlinghafer allegedly received nearly $700,000 in loan disbursements for solar services that were never rendered.
Michael Melcher, one of the customers left with a hefty solar loan, expressed relief at Ridlinghafer’s arrest. “We were hurt, definitely hurt, but some others were on the brink of losing their homes because they couldn’t pay their electric bills,” he stated. “I hope he gets some time—whether it’s five years or twenty years, it should be enough to make him reflect on his actions and never repeat them.”
Melcher believes that the situation could have been addressed earlier, claiming he alerted Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union six months before they began taking steps to halt loan administration. “Their response was that it wasn’t really their problem; I don’t see them as a victim,” he added.
The N4T Investigators reached out to Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union for comment, but a manager declined to provide any statements.
In 2022, TOPCU President and CEO Vernon Babilon was eager to discuss the issues related to Tucson Solar Pros but ceased communication as customers initiated legal action. Melcher and the affected customers eventually reached a settlement.
Ridlinghafer is scheduled for a detention hearing in federal court in Tucson at 10:30 AM on Friday.
