Contractor charged with fraud

GEORGETOWN, Del. (AP) - July 7, 2008 State police spokesman Sergeant Joshua Bushweller says Curtis M. Ricketts of Rehoboth Beach was also indicted on June 13 on 10 counts of improper retention of contractor funds. Bushweller says the amount defrauded was $62,251.

Authorities say Ricketts, who owns Oasis Property Development, had been contracted by a New Jersey resident to build the home. Bushweller says Ricketts then made deals with several subcontractors, but failed to pay them for their services, and he failed to complete work on the home after receiving money for the construction.

Ricketts was released on $11,000 secured bond.

---

Information from: The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal, http://www.delawareonline.com