Man charged with running 'fraudulent paving company' in Franklin County

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

WINCHESTER, Tenn. - A Georgia man was arrested by Franklin County, Tenn., authorities on charges of felony theft and deceptive business practices, officials said today.

Local authorities met with Tennessee Highway Patrol officers at the Home Depot in Decherd, Tenn., on a report of a "fraudulent paving company," Franklin County Sheriff Office spokesman Sgt. Chris Guess said Wednesday in a release.

Franklin County officers went back to the job site with members of the company in question, Callaway Construction, Guess said.

"Statements made by the victim [indicated] that Callaway Construction had charged them $3,850 for repairs made to their driveway," Guess said. "The value of the actual work done was estimated at less than $500."

Richard Michael Smith, of 4292 New Hope, Ga., was charged with deceptive business practices, theft of property valued at $1,000 to $10,000 and abuse, neglect or exploitation of an eldery person, Guess said. Smith is being held on $50,000 bond and faces a General Sessions Court date Jan. 6, 2014.

Officers seized Smith's equipment, including two dump trucks, two trailers, a Bobcat and a paving machine, estimated to be worth combined $150,000, Guess said.

Franklin County authorities ask anyone who has been contacted by Callaway Construction or has had any financial transactions with the company to contact Investigator Nick Watson or Investigator George Dyer with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at 931-692-0123.