A Denver-area home builder who is facing dozens of lawsuits from buyers who claim they’ve been scammed is now a subject of a criminal probe based on a recent bankruptcy filing.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s office in suburban Denver confirmed the investigation into Carl Dean Amann, founder of Castle Rock-based Adamo Building Company, which does business as Adamo Homes, the Denver Post reported.
Amann is one of several subjects of the investigation, according to the sheriff’s office, which declined to specify the bankruptcy case at the center of the probe. Neither he nor any representatives of his companies, which have been hit with about 40 lawsuits over the past year, could be reached by the Denver Post for comment. Adamo’s website and phone numbers have been shut down, and listings online indicate the home building operations are “permanently closed.”
A court recently awarded Tyler and Nicole Kirby $122,000 in their lawsuit against Adamo Building, where they claimed they spent $57,000 on a down payment and architecture services and got nothing in return.
The couple hasn’t been able to collect.
“They just dropped off the face of the Earth,” Tyler Kirby said of Amann and his company.
A couple from Texas has sued for $500,000, claiming they paid Adamo Homes to build them a home only to face mechanic liens on the property from subcontractors who did not get paid. The Texas couple says Adamo overcharged them for materials and submitted fake invoices before abandoning the project unfinished, the couple said in their lawsuit. The Kirbys said they were allegedly charged for materials the homeowners never ordered. In April, the company abandoned the project.
A lumber company claims it is owed $46,000, a roofer wants $40,000, and the landlord for the Adamo offices has a claim for $30,000.
An archived version of Adamo’s website advertises the company’s homes as being “built true.”
“Adamo stands behind character, craftsmanship and positive relationships,” the business stated. “As builders, we built our company with you in mind.”
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