By Elizabeth Johnson
Homeowners across the Tampa Bay area say a Pasco County contractor took tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, then left their homes in disarray and their remodels half done. The contractor at the center of the growing pile of complaints, Jason Wallace, already has prior convictions tied to licensing and insurance issues and now faces fresh allegations and criminal counts, with more alleged victims stepping forward.
Several customers told local investigators they handed over hefty deposits and then watched the work slow to a crawl or stop altogether. New Jersey homeowner Jerome Johnson said he paid nearly $270,000 toward a $330,000 contract, only to find bags of asbestos left in his garage and multiple rooms still incomplete. Another customer, Benissa Smallwood, told investigators Wallace technically owes her about $47,250. All of it is detailed by WTSP.
Legal Risks For Unlicensed Work
Under Florida law, unlicensed contracting and failing to carry workers’ compensation coverage are not just technical slip-ups. They can bring criminal charges and open contractors up to serious civil liability. To help homeowners vet who they are hiring, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation runs an online license lookup and a complaint portal for suspected fraud or unlicensed activity. For step-by-step instructions on checking credentials or filing a complaint, see Florida DBPR.
Charges, Plea And Victims’ Evidence
According to reporting, Wallace was found guilty in Pasco County of unlicensed contracting and failing to secure workers’ compensation. He also faces multiple felony counts in Hillsborough County, including an allegation of stealing from someone 65 or older. A plea has been entered in one of the Hillsborough cases, with sentencing set for next week.
Johnson told investigators his family was displaced for 16 months while the stalled job dragged on, and that asbestos abatement alone cost about $20,000 on top of what he had already paid. WTSP documented the homeowners’ accounts, along with related court filings that outline the criminal counts and prior convictions.
How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves
If you suspect a contractor has taken your money without holding up their end of the deal, start by gathering every scrap of documentation you have, including contracts, photos, texts, emails and proof of payments.
Homeowners can and should verify a contractor’s license status through the Florida DBPR website, and they can file complaints or report suspected scams through the Florida Attorney General’s consumer-protection portal, particularly when large sums of money or older victims are involved. For official complaint forms and hotline information, visit Florida DBPR and MyFloridaLegal.