Story Archive

Breach of Contract

Glenn and Judith Holland bought a retirement home in Seminole, Fla., and hired Marc Perez to renovate it. A few months after paying over $20,000 for the work, the Hollands noticed there was no progress, but Perez insisted it would be done on time. That same month, Judith was diagnosed with cancer. The couple moved to Seminole from Pennsylvania, but when they got to the house they found it in shambles and had to rent another house. When they attempted to contact Perez, they received text messages saying that he had died in a car accident. Suspicious, Holland staked out Perez’s house and finally saw him walking out to his truck. The Hollands not only sued, prosecutors charged Perez with grand theft, working without insurance, and unlicensed contracting. A settlement was reached in the lawsuit, but Judith died before that. Daniel Moody, the Hollands’ attorney, said the ordeal ruined the last year of her life as Judith battled cancer. “It was really a sad situation,” Moody said. “Mr. Holland could not bear to spend any time in the house. He was selling it and moving back home.” (MS/Tampa Bay Times) ...Fake death and fake work for Perez, real death and real misery for the Hollands. Hopefully there will be real consequences for Perez.