Judge Hammers Contractor With Repayment, Probation

A contractor who took thousands of dollars from an Apex couple, but left their remodeling job undone has to pay them back.

Posted 10:48 p.m. Mar 7, 2007 — Updated 12:17 a.m. Mar 8, 2007

APEX, N.C. — A contractor who took thousands of dollars from an Apex couple, but left their remodeling job in a shambles has to pay them back, and he's on probation to boot.

Dec. 6 last year, 5 On Your Side reported on Jim Rupp and his company, All Your Wishes Construction. Earl and Regina Monson had paid Rupp $9,000 last March to remodel their bathroom, but the job was not done.

Rupp had begun, but then left the job unfinished for months. In addition, the Monsons found out that most of the work Rupp did do had to be ripped out and redone because he had not obtained permits for it and inspectors would not approve it.

When 5 On Your Side tried to talk with Rupp, he appeared smug as he spoke in slow, broken syllables, “Okay, I'll slow this down now. You're rolling right?” Rupp slowly continued, “On advice of my attorney, don't talk to you.”

Rupp then blew kisses and waved.

While Rupp didn't respond to 5 On Your Side, he did have to answer to a judge.

He pleaded guilty last week in Wake County District Court to basically taking the Monson's money and not doing the work. The judge gave him three years' probation and ordered him to pay the couple more than $9,400 in restitution.

The Monsons have since hired a new contractor. They say their project is almost finished and looks great. They said they were relieved that Rupp was held accountable.

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