Brevard homebuilder charged in fraud scheme

BY KAUSTUV BASU • FLORIDA TODAY • August 7, 2008 A 43-year-old Brevard homebuilder has been arrested after an investigation by the state attorney’s office, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday. James Jackson, owner of J. Jackson Homes, was arrested July 31 and faces charges of organized scheme to defraud in excess of $50,000, misappropriation of construction funds and making or furnishing false statements. The sheriff’s office said the contractor was involved in building a new residence for a customer near Rockledge for $700,000 and allegedly stopped work before the home was completed. A sheriff’s office news release said Jackson had furnished fraudulent affidavits to obtain construction funds from a bank and had not paid several sub-contractors. Jackson was released on a $22,500 bond. The sheriff’s office thinks... [read full story]