A Laquey man faces a felony charge in connection with allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from a VFW post in Pulaski County by violating a construction contract, according to documents filed in circuit court.
Jeremiah S. Wright, born 1989, is charged with one count of stealing - $25,000 or more. His bond is set at $15,000.
The case’s probable cause statement alleges that Wright, while doing business as J&J Disaster Services LLC, was contracted to build an RV park for the VFW Post. The contracted work consisted of 20 full hook-up spaces as well as a facility building that would include an office, store and shower. The statement says the contract was for $132,406 to be paid in three phases, and of that Wright received more than $100,000. The date the contract was signed isn’t detailed in the statement. The specific VFW post is also redacted.
The statement says the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by the VFW post in September 2023 due to Wright completing only minimal construction such as site grading and pouring of a building foundation. Moreover, that foundation allegedly wasn’t level and the building constructed on it began to fall apart. Wright is described by witnesses in the statement as giving multiple excuses for the lack of work before eventually not responding to phone calls and text messages. Wright has allegedly failed to return to the work site since April 2023.
Cited as evidence in the statement is equipment abandoned at the work site that’s allegedly connected to Wright. It concludes the VFW voted to terminate the contract with Wright.
The charges described above are merely an accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
