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hillbilly

**This news is about a month old, but still interesting**

Kevin and Shannon Wheat spent nearly $400,000 to build their dream home, so when the bank recommended a contractor -- the Wheats thought they were in good hands...

The couple was approved for a $340,000 loan and found a contractor through Venture Bank of Washington. The Wheats said the bank recommend a man by the name of Steve Vanlue.

"We felt that he was someone we could trust,” Shannon said.

The Wheats hired Vanlue, bought the land and began construction of their new home last October. Although the house was suppose to be finished last April, as of early July, walls remain missing, wires are exposed, pipes run uncovered and there’s lumber rotting in the yard...

According to court documents, Vanlue took the money, didn't pay subcontractors, he lost his state license and his bond was canceled.

Not only did the money disappear, but according to a Skagit County police report, Vanlue skipped town.

A missing persons report showed Vanlue disappeared February 20. Investigators said he boarded a plane and flew to Bangkok more than 7,000 miles away.

The family’s attorney Ben Cushman alleges Vanlue embezzled the money to Thailand.

"You cannot accidentally take money which isn't yours and go to Bangkok," said Cushman.

He's now suing Vanlue and Venture Bank for allowing this to happen.

There is one problem however, Vanlue is dead. His body was discovered in Laos.

Family Says Scammed By Contractor Recommended By Bank - Consumer News Story - KIRO Seattle

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blackgang

From the looks of things, they might not get all their money from Vanlue then.

And them folks must have spent a lot of time over here if they thought that their project was going along nicely all that time.

I wonder if Vanlue looked Asian?, When I had my business running up in Skagit county I never knew any contractors by that name.

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oldgit

I guess the Wheat's had enough cash left to take a last contract out on Vanlue.

EmperorTud

Vanlue separated the Wheats from the cash!

Spin

Never conduct business on feelings based on emotion. Due diligence has to be done, everywhere and of course, here is Thailand for sure.