Contractor Allegedly Took $22,500 For Addition & Did ‘Minimal’ Work

Bristol Township police allege a Falls Township contractor bilked a couple he was supposed to be building an addition for.

Michael G. Johnson Jr., 43, was arraigned last week on charges of receiving advanced payment for services and failing to perform, theft, receiving stolen property and deceitful business practices.

According to court papers, Johnson, the owner of Bucks County Restoration, was hired by a couple in October 2014 for $30,000 to build a 12-foot by 26-foot addition onto a Graceful Lane home in Levittown. By late February, Johnson had only completed a “minimal” amount of work after receiving $22,500, police said.

The couple who reportedly fell victim to the contractor told a detective a contact was drawn up on Bucks County Restoration letterhead and signed by Johnson and the couple, according to court papers. The coupled at first paid $15,000 to Johnson in October and another $7,500 in December.

Police noted in an affidavit of probable cause that Johnson framed three walls, moved utilities, purchased some supplies and rented a dumpster for the job by mid-March. Another contractor came in and had to take down the three framed walls because they did not match local code.

Despite telling the couple that he was a contractor registered with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Bristol Township Detective William O’Keefe found out the Falls resident was not registered.

On June 30, O’Keefe obtained a warrant for Johnson’s bank account. The record showed Johnson appeared to have went on spending sprees after receiving the two deposits from the homeowners. More than $25,000, including a $6,200 salary from the Graceful Lane job, was spent at department stores, bars, gas stations, hotels and public storage between the first check in late October and January 9, 2015, according to court papers.

Calkins Media reporter Jo Ciavaglia reported earlier this year that Johnson sued the Graceful Lane residents – Mary and Michael Aspell – for defamation after they reportedly posted about their story on social media and left fliers on cars.

“Johnson sought more than $50,000 in damages and the case was settled in May, according to court records. Specifics of the settlement weren’t available,” Ciavaglia reported on Monday.

Johnson is free on $20,000 unsecured bail.