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FIRESTONE, Colo -- A homeowner in Firestone has filed a claim against an Arvada contractor who he says bilked him out of thousands of dollars.
Dale Manning says he hired James Glidewell, based on the recommendation of a neighbor who had worked for him.
"I told him I wanted to replace my driveway," Manning said, pointing to some large cracks in the concrete. "He said he would do it for $6,200."
Manning says he paid half the fee upfront and scheduled to have the work done, but Glidewell never showed up.
"He always had an excuse," Manning said. "A funeral, the weather, illness."
After waiting for two months, Manning called and asked for his money back. Glidewell hasn't replied.
Denver7 went to the contractor's last known address, on Queen Street in Arvada. His sister answered the door and said James wasn't home. She said he's been living with her, off and on, since he was 18.
"He doesn't have anyplace else to go," she said, "Aside from his two boys, I'm the only family he's got."
When asked if Glidewell has Manning's money, she replied, "I don't know. He lies to me a lot. He doesn't pay (rent) like he was supposed to."
Denver7 reached out to Glidewell by phone, but he did not return a phone call.
A man claiming to be Glidewell's attorney did call. He said the issue will be taken care of and threatened a lawsuit if Denver7 pursued the story.
Denver7 did some digging and learned that Glidewell has a criminal past.
In March 2008, he pleaded guilty to felony theft on a case dating back to 2006. And in April 2016, he pleaded guilty to driving under restraint.
"I just want my money back," the victim said. "That's all I want. I do not want him to set foot on my property. I don't trust the guy as far as I could throw him."
Glidewell was been issued a summons to appear in court on August 15.
