SAINT PAUL, Minn.— Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has initiated legal action against two unlicensed contractors who are accused of swindling numerous homeowners throughout the state, resulting in losses of at least $1.6 million. The lawsuits focus on Earl Christian Rode IV from High Road Builders, LLC, and Ryan David Pietron from Affordable Home Remodeling, LLC.
While the two cases are not connected, Ellison’s office reports that both contractors employed remarkably similar fraudulent tactics: they took substantial upfront payments for home renovation projects, completed little to no work, and denied customers any refunds.
“It is infuriating to hear that these fake contractors have been taking tens of thousands of dollars from Minnesota families trying to do home renovation projects and skipping town,” said Ellison. “I’m suing these fraudulent contractors to recover the hard-earned money they stole from Minnesotans.”
Accusations and Impact
Rode and High Road Builders are reportedly accused of defrauding at least 10 families out of over $1.2 million. Pietron and Affordable Home Remodeling face allegations of scamming 16 families for nearly $400,000.
In a particularly tragic case, a homeowner paid Rode more than $900,000 to renovate his deceased mother’s house. Allegedly, Rode did very little work and abandoned the project, leaving the home vulnerable to severe winter weather. The damage was so significant that the family had no choice but to tear down the house.
Pietron is charged with issuing fraudulent invoices and making misleading statements about the progress of work. In one case, a homeowner discovered he was lying about a crew working at her home by reviewing her security footage, which revealed that no one had been at the property.
Both men are accused of forging documents, falsely claiming to be licensed contractors, and violating multiple state laws, including:
- The Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act
- The Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act
- The False Statements in Advertisement Act
- Legal Action and Call for More Victims
The Attorney General is seeking:
- Restitution for scammed homeowners
- Civil penalties
- Court orders to stop further illegal activity
- Repayment of legal costs to the State
Notably, Pietron and his company are banned from applying for a Minnesota contractor’s license until 2030, while Rode is permanently banned from doing so.
Consumers Urged to Come Forward
The Attorney General’s Office believes additional consumers may have been victimized. Anyone who believes they were defrauded by either contractor is encouraged to file a complaint:
- Online: ag.state.mn.us/Office/Complaint.asp
- Phone: 651-296-3353
“We rely on the public to help us hold fraudsters accountable,” said Ellison. “If you’ve been cheated by these companies or others like them, let us know — we’re here to fight for you.”
Read briefs here Earl Christian Rode IV and his company High Road Builders, LLC, Ryan David Pietron and his company Affordable Home Remodeling, LLC.
