BELLEVUE, Neb. — A Bellevue contractor has been ordered to repay more than $24,000 to three customers after failing to complete paid remodeling jobs.
Sarpy County District Judge Nathan Cox sentenced 54-year-old Ronald Raney to 72 days in jail, with credit for time already served, and placed him on five years of probation. During probation, Raney must make restitution payments, including $411 a month, until the debt is satisfied.
Cindy Kuhlman, one of the customers, had paid $17,000 for remodel work that never began. “I think it’s great… he has to pay back everybody,” Kuhlman said. The judge emphasized that the victims deserve to be made whole.
Raney’s public defender, Joe Fabian, told the court that medical issues prevented the contractor from completing the projects. “Certainly he understands that work was not completed and there is restitution outstanding,” Fabian said.
The judge also allowed for work release while serving his sentence so Raney can start repaying the customers. Additionally, Raney has pled no contest to a theft by deception charge in Douglas County, where a fourth customer paid over $12,000 for work that was never completed.
