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Last updated on Monday, June 6, 2016
(WHITESTOWN) - The co-owners of BiltRite Homes LLC in Whitestown have been charged with 138 felony counts in four central Indiana counties, following a nearly three year investigation.
According to Indiana State Police, Gary Ogle, 69, and Robert Fersch, 68, are responsible for taking over $1,200,000 from customers and subcontractors by conducting fraudulent business deals including theft, corrupt business influence, perjury, and forgery.
Police began looking into complaints about BiltRite Homes taking money from customers to pay off debts of previously built homes, after the business filed for bankruptcy in 2013.
Eventually the co-owners were no longer able to pay their debts, resulting in several property liens being placed on completed homes. In some cases, police say BiltRite Homes would take down payments, or a first draw on victims' construction loans, and not take any action toward building a home for them.
During the course of the three year investigation, police spoke with numerous victims, contractors, suppliers and former employees. An investigation into subpoenas, search warrants, and thousands of pages of documents led to felony criminal charges being filed in Hendricks, Marion, Boone and Hamilton counties.
There are an additional 11 victims in Boone County and one victim in Clinton County who are pursuing criminal charges at this time.
In February of 2015, Ogle was charged for his actions during new home builds for Richmond Hill victims in Marion County.
This is an ongoing investigation.
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