Ronald Skelley and David Creswell claimed to respresent a company named "American Construction Company" when they met with me to discuss building a garage. I signed a contract that Ronald Skelley counter-signed and I paid a 50% deposit. Ground was never broke on this project.
I met with Priscilla Firth one time after I signed the contract. I also talked to her on the phone several times when I could no longer reach Mr. Skelley by phone or e-mail. Eventually, I could no longer reach Ms. Firth either. I am now suing to get my money back in Chesapeake General District Court.
I suggest you keep your money in a tightly clinched fist if you encounter any of these people in a proposed "business deal."
Shorty
United States#2Consumer Comment
Wed, September 07, 2022
Ronald Lee Skelley used to go by "Ron Skelley" until he was convicted of contractor fraud. Now he is back to ripping people off and he goes by the name "Lee Skelley." This dirtbag is now obtaining work under "Smart Move Construction." Buyers beware!
The modus operendi for this guy is to create a corporation (very simple to do) under Virginia law. He then scams peole out of money then points to the corporation for being at fault for anything that happens.
He hopes he does not run into an educated person who understand personal liability can attach for individual criminal acts. Ron (or Lee) almost always gets away with his scams because people don't think they have recourse and they don't report him to the police.
Concerned Consumer
Chesapeake,#3General Comment
Sat, January 20, 2018
Ronald Lee Skelley was found guilty on January 17, 2018. He received jail time but most of it was "suspended." The charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor in a plea agreement. Details on the sentence can be found at eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/criminalDetail.do?formAction=newSearch?ts=1516465205710&clientSearchCounter=3&localFipsCode=550. It is to bad a plea deal was entered into since there seem to be so many other victims. Hopefully, they can pursue criminal charges too so they will obtain their own justice.
Taiyo
Chesapeake,#4Consumer Comment
Wed, January 17, 2018
Apparently Ronald Skelley entered into a plea agreement. He was sentenced to 12 months jail and 2 years probation. However, 11 months 10 days of the jail sentence was suspended. So, he will only serve 20 days in jail. It is my understanding that the poor sap who was ripped off got his money back as part of the plea agreement Ron entered into. I'm glad the guy got his money back but it is unfortunate this case was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor in the plea agreement and Ronald will not serve any "real" jail time. Below is the result from the Chesapeake District Court's website.
Chesapeake General District Court Traffic/Criminal Case Details Case/Defendant Information Case Number : GC17000961-00 Filed Date : 02/08/2017 Locality : COMMONWEALTH OF VA Name : SKELLEY, RONALD L Status : Bail Defense Attorney : MIRMAN, S Address : ALEXANDRIA, VA (((REDACTED))) AKA1 : AKA2 : Gender : Male Race : White Caucasian(Non-Hispanic) DOB : 05/06/**** Charge Information Charge : FAIL PERFORM CONSTRUCTION Code Section : 18.2-200.1 Case Type : Felony Class : 6 Offense Date : 11/02/2016 Arrest Date : 02/07/2017 Complainant : MILLS, J Amended Charge : FAIL TO PERFORM CONSTRUCTION Amended Code : 18.2-200.1 Amended Case Type : Misdemeanor Hearing Information Date Time Result Hearing Type Courtroom Plea Continuance Code 02/13/2017 08:15 AM Continued Arraignment 04/24/2017 10:00 AM Continued Preliminary Continued By Court 06/19/2017 10:00 AM Continued Preliminary Continued By Court 08/14/2017 10:00 AM Continued Preliminary Continued By Court 10/23/2017 10:00 AM Continued Preliminary CRIM 01/17/2018 10:00 AM Finalized Preliminary CRIM Service/Process Disposition Information Final Disposition : Guilty Sentence Time : 12Months 000Days 00Hours Sentence Suspended Time : 11Months 010Days 00Hours Probation Type : Unsupervised Probation Probation Time : 02Years 00Months 000Days Probation Starts : Operator License Suspension Time : 00Years 00Months 000Days Restriction Effective Date : Operator License Restriction Codes : Fine : Costs : $112.00 Fine/Costs Due : Fine/Costs Paid : Fine/Costs Paid Date : VASAP :
JustTheFacts
Alabama,#5Consumer Comment
Fri, March 03, 2017
It is true that Ron was arraigned for "Fail to Perform Construction" under Virginia Code Section 18.2-200.1. He was arraigned in Chesapeake General District Court, Chesapeake, VA on Feb 13, 2017. However, the case has not been decided yet. That is an important fact to remember.
People may hope that justice is done by Ron being found guilty. The fact is that it has not happened yet. Ron is due to appear in court on Apr 24, 2017. More should be known about whether Ron will plead guilty or have the case heard by the court to determine guilt after his next court appearance. Current case status can be found at https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/criminalDetail.do?formAction=newSearch?ts=1488553563015&clientSearchCounter=3&localFipsCode=550
Crookfinder
Alabama,#6General Comment
Mon, February 27, 2017
Ron has been typing up his own biographies for years. Always can tell with the nonsense and bad spelling. Haha, Ron, contacted "your college". You never went there. Haha. Ron has robbed hundreds of people. That's why he was arrested for CONTRACTOR FRAUD!! You stole thousands of dollars and hired complete morons like yourself. That's why ACC has many DPOR complaints. You and your awful employees destroyed so many homes and lives. I hope everyone gets locked up!!!!
ACC
Virginia Beach ,#7UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, January 15, 2017
Chesapeake Garage 1. Contract signed June 6, 2016 . Scope for original contract was signed . 2. Contract for original scope of work was Deposit was given to American Construction Company of Va. 3. Total plans , admin cost , permit fees etc. per our allocation of cost associated to secure these items . This includes the changes the client wanted to make changing the garage from having a storage area to a 1 1/2 story garage which there would be a change order issue once cost were calculated . $2450 ( this has not yet been agreed to as city had not approved ) 4. Sales commission paid for contract acquisition . $2600 . 5. The following are all dates of contact with client via email correspondence . 6-23-2016 This is email requesting that the addition move to 1 1/2 story after 1st set of plans were done . 6-27-2016 Client emailed about hoa submission . 6-29-2016 Client emailed for status update . Both about we were waiting on updated plans . 6-25-2016 David Creswell sent updated plans . 6-25-2016 Client emailed the plans look good . 6-30-2016 David Creswell submitted plans to city of Chesapeake . He emailed client to notify . 6-30-2016 Client emailed he looked forward to association approval and ground breaking . 7-7-2016 Client emailed to ask if we heard from his hoa. 7-8-2016 Client asked for all docs to be sent and that his hoa would not accept anything from a 3rd party . 7-9-2016 Client emailed requesting office manager to email everything . 7-9-2016 Email was sent to office manager and client copied requesting info to be sent . 7-13-2016 Client emailed David asking if permit could be emailed . 7-13-2016 Client sent email with concerns and threatening he would attempt to terminate contract because he didn't have certain documents . This was being facilitated . 7-13-2016 Email was sent to client explaining city asked for additional engineering calculations . 7-13-2016 Client emailed thanking and also insinuating he was misled . 7-14-2016 Client was emailed exploding process and certain things were out of our hands . Clarification on our position that we were not in breach on contract . 7-18-2016 Client emailed asking if permit had been issued . 7-18-2016 Client was emailed explaining we were waiting on report still . 7-18-2016 Client emailed thank you and looking forward to receiving permit. 7-20-2016 Client emailed regarding engineering report once again . 7-22-2016 Client was emailed all had been turned in . 7-22-2016 Client emailed thank you 7-25-2016 Client emailed about permit . 7-25-2016 Responded to client nothing yet. 7-25-2016 Client emailed he would call city himself about hold up . 7-26-2016 Client emailed concerned city had no permit application . 7-26-2016 Emailed client we we there at review 7-26-2016 Client again emailed if we had permit # 7-26-2016 Emailed client permit number 7-27-2016 Client emailed good 7-27-2016 Client emailed he looked at permit stays online and revisions were required . 7-28-2016 Client emailed and asked if revisions would be resubmitted . 7-28-2016 We emailed client the architect was working on . 7-29-2016 Emailed client about City concern about him putting an apartment there. 8-1-2016 Client emailed asking if revisions complete . 8-1-2016 Emailed revision to client 8-1-2016 Client asked if submitted Several emails between then and 8-8-2016 8-18-2016 Client sent hoa approval From there miss utility was called . They forayed and power lines were found where garage was going . Client was notified power company had been contacted and we were awaiting guidance . The power company said power lines had to be relocated . They need up to 90 days to determine time and cost associated . The foreman on the project submitted but apparently was not proper format . Per our contract these are issues unforeseen and responsibility of client . Contract is very explicit regarding these issues. Our understanding was these issues were underway per our foreman and ball was in power company court . On 9-26-2016 and 10-13-2016 client client send correspondence . ACC in no way breached contract and had occurred thousands and cost associated . Power lines unforeseen . Additional there is a change order and additional cost due for the 1 1/2 story upgrade from original scope of work . Furthermore client has lied , defamed and slandered outside associates that previously worked at ACC . The client filed suit and the owner was not in court . Associates sales persons are seeking relief for damage to reputations as result of posting on rip off report . He's was served cease and desist and has failed to comply . Clearly this person has a issue that should be resolved but there was also expenses incurred And performance on the contract . That does not give anyone the right to defame or slander any individual . Priscilla went to the city on numerous occasions to facilitate getting plans approved . The project was staged and ready to proceed prior to the power line issue . So the company also is out thousands . The company offered to move forward and the owner stated he did not wish to proceed . As you can see no one stole any money from this individual . It's a contract dispute and losses on both ends . There has been attempts to resolve issue but nothing has been to date . As to the postings from others on this report you should be cautioned . One posting is by unlicensed contractor that had committed tort inference against the company and issued threats on multiple occasions towards individuals named in this posting . The fact is these individuals work is sub par at best . Their backgrounds are extremely cloudy . Due to impending legal action against these individuals we will not disclose at this point . This person specifically operates in the kitchen and granite business . We will not post pictures or proof of payments and advances for work not done and faulty workmanship but we are seeking damages and pursuing legal recourse . To Katie aka ( David Creswell mother ) you should caution yourself regarding the false and libelous claim you made against the person you did here regarding your neighbor at the condo building . This client gave deposit on project to American Construction Company . Not an individual . There was considerable work done for this client. She does have a claim but she was advised it the situation with American Construction owner and was offered for the job to be completed by Shawn who has been fixing others subs work . She never called Priscilla back to move forward . As to all involved in their defamatory postings to include those conspiring to defame or continue to slander anyone please be put on notice legal action is underway and will be taken . While American Construction company and its owner may have many issues Priscilla and Ron have continue trying to see projects through the best we could with the help of Shawn . Projects continue to get done . Both Ron and Priscilla have not worked for American Construction except to help facilitate getting jobs done since August . David also left the company in summer . As to the Irish comments on this posting these guys were never even contracted $18,000 in work . They did 1 bathroom which they were paid for . They did work on an addition which they were paid for . The company was terminated on another project due to time and workmanship issues . They also interfered with jobs and caused issues. Our understanding is they went to do jobs with david and that is now a dramatic situation. We won't go into anymore detail about them at this time due to pending legal issues and investigations into licensing and losses created by their actions . With all that said American Construction is done and not operational . Ron has personally owned businesses that have installed thousands of projects with no record of issues like American Construction has had . Multiple subcontractors have stolen money from ACC and ownership has failed . We have attempted to resolve any issues we can . If folks don't want to resolve issues they have the right to civil remedies . We have tried resolving the best we can . If you feel your issues have not been heard or addressed please email [email protected] And we will attempt to help the best we can . Please not none of the individuals named in report are principals or owners of American Construction Company. But Ron and Priscilla will attempt to help solve and remaining issues we can if possible as we have continued to do even after leaving company . People need to understand problems happen , companies go under , but to try and destroy people individually when you don't have all the facts about many situations you hurt a lot of people including families and careers . What you write on the internet typically can't be removed so remember that as we will seek damages for the irreparable harm caused . You should not believe everything you read either as people always have motives . Trust us that we have evidence of wrongdoing on mostly everyone posting on here and on other social media sites. Also please remove pictures of all individuals as this is a trademark infridgement !!!!
Crookfinder
Dist of Columbia,#8General Comment
Fri, January 06, 2017
David Creswell knew exactly what was going on. He was the one who took the money! He became extremely nasty. He is also to blame!
Katie
Virginia Beach ,#9General Comment
Sat, December 31, 2016
I live in a condominium in Virginia Beach. My neighbor across the hall hired Ronald Skelley to gut her condo and completely update and remodel the entire condo. He took her money and left town. She is out of thousands of dollars. David Creswell and Priscilla Firth had nothing to do with my neighbors job, only Ron. From my understanding, Ron was the owner and David and Priscilla were employees. I believe whoever wrote this ripoff report should be sued for slander. It is right and just to write a report on Ronald Skelley, it is malicious slander to include David Creswell and Priscilla Firth.
Irishboysreno
Chesapeake,#10General Comment
Wed, December 14, 2016
Are used to do you work for Ron and you aren't the only one that he has ripped off he owes me and my company over $18,000 Dave Creswell and Purcella were not involved in any of the stealing of money from you or the 30 other people that Ron has taken I hope you take Ron for everything that he has which is pretty much nothing at this point from what I found out he has been scheming people from Florida all the way out to DC and into Delaware. if you'd like to contact me please feel free to it anytime I would love to fill you in on a ton of other information about Ron
#11Author of original report
Fri, December 09, 2016
It is my understanding Ronald Skelley also goes by the alias of Ron Way, Ron Baltimore and others.
Crookfinder
Norfolk,#12General Comment
Wed, December 07, 2016
These people are complete and utter crooks! They stole from me and put the blame on the man who had the contractor's license! Never even met him! They should be locked up. How are they getting away scot free?!
#13Author of original report
Sun, November 13, 2016
Attached are pictures of the people who played a role in scamming me out of thousdands of dollars.
#14Author of original report
Sun, November 13, 2016
Here are three pictures of Ronald Skelley. He was the ringleader of the scam.
#15Author of original report
Thu, November 10, 2016
See attached pictures of David Creswell and Priscilla Firth if you are unsure whether you are about to enter into a deal with people who have helped scam others in the past.
#16Author of original report
Thu, November 10, 2016
The full name of the company Ronald Skelley, David Creswell, and Priscilla Firth stated they worked for was "American Construction Company of Virginia" based in Virginia Beach, VA.