On or about October 2, 2024, the Crystal Police Department responded to a report of contractor fraud. Victim [NAME REDACTED]C. Reported that he and M. A. (together, “Victims”) hired TROY MICHAEL ROBINSON [DOB REDACTED] and GLEN KARATI OMAN-JAMAAL MIDDLETON [DOB REDACTED], through their business “Absolute Renovations,” (together, “Defendants”) to complete a remodel of their home. After accepting and cashing a deposit of $12,300.00 by check, Defendants only completed a small portion of the work before they abandoned the job.
Victims’ deposit was never returned. THE INCIDENT During the summer of 2024, Victims posted on the social media application, NextDoor, to identify contractors to complete a remodeling project in their home. Of the multiple responses Victims received, they followed up on a recommendation from “Glen M” to contact “Troy [ROBINSON]” with “Absolute Home Improvements” for the job. ROBINSON came to their residence, evaluated work to be done, and later returned with MIDDLETON, who he introduced as his “Materials Manager.” Victims believed Defendants were licensed and insured based upon their discussions and contract negotiations.
The parties signed a contract on August 8, 2024. The first page of the contract was entitled “Renovations.” A logo for “Absolute Roofing and Remodeling,” was displayed at the top of the page, with a listed a location in Woodbury and ROBINSON’s phone number (ending -2707). The text of the contract named “Absolute Renovations” as the Contractor and laid out each party’s responsibilities. Among other things, the Contractor agreed to “supervise and provide labor and materials” for the project and accepted responsibility for “all construction […],” guaranteeing that all work would be “completed in a workmanlike manner and that all work, materials, fixtures and personal property [would] be new and of good quality.” The contract incorporated Minn.
Stat. § 326B.809(b), which provides performance requirements between a customer and “licensee” for purposes of residential contracting. Under Minn. Stat. § 326B.802, a “licensee” means “a residential building contractor, residential remodeler, manufactured home installer, or residential roofer” licensed under the relevant Minnesota Statutes. The second page itemized the work to be performed, and scheduled payments. The third and final signature page of the contract showed an expected project timeline of 60 days.
On August 8, 2024, the same day the contract was signed, Victims provided Defendants with a check for $12,300. The check was deposited the next day. Defendants started the work as scheduled, and worked on and off between August 19, 2024, and September 9, 2024. Victims said that ROBINSON showed up some of the days, working on the project himself, bringing supplies, and generally acting in a supervisory role. Victims said that MIDDLETON only dropped off contractors and did not do any work. Victims said that ROBINSON was the main point of contact, and they believed ROBINSON to be in charge.
