Certified Windows and Doors owner charged with fraud

CTV Windsor: Certified owner charged The owner and operator of Certified Windows and Doors in Windsor has been charged with fraud. Ricardo Veneza reports.

The owner and operator of Certified Windows and Doors in Windsor has been charged with fraud.

Craig O’Brien, 44, has been charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000 and uttering a forged document.

O’Brien is listed as the owner of Certified.

As first shared by CTV Windsor in November 2018, a number of residents claimed they provided deposits or paid for work that was never completed – and in some cases never even started.

Investigators with the Windsor Police Service Financial Crimes Branch say they received over 70 complaints regarding deals with the business.

The two counts of fraud being laid encompass several victims.

Part of the investigation found some of the complaints were not criminal in nature and could potentially be resolved in civil court.

Sergant Steve Betteridge tells CTV Windsor these types of cases are time consuming to investigate.

“Quite a few members of our local community were affected by this and a lot of people want instant justice and we understand that, that's human nature but at the same time, we have to slow things down and make sure an investigation is done legally, thoroughly and properly.”

The charges now kick off criminal justice proceedings, but don’t ensure that any of those impacted will get their money back.

The Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario issued an alert over complaints about the Windsor window and door company.

The agency says it had received about 30 complaints in late 2018 about the practices of Certified Windows and Doors.

In an email to CTV Windsor in November, O'Brien had originally blamed issues on cancelled provincial incentive programs and clerical errors.

Several residents who alleged to have been defrauded by the company held a meeting in January and claimed they were promised repayment. Some even received cheques, but claimed they bounced.