A Florida contractor faces grand theft charges after allegedly taking $40,000 from a Palm Coast couple for home renovations, completing only a single painted wall, and using the funds to buy signed baseball cards.
Flagler County deputies arrested Michael Struhar on Friday for allegedly stealing $40,000 from a local couple.
The incident began in December 2025 when the Palm Coast victims signed a General Service Agreement with Sunshine State Contractor Services, LLC. The contract stated that the home renovations would be finished within three months, prompting the couple to wire $40,000 to the business account.
According to authorities, the company’s owner, 43-year-old Michael Struhar, showed up to the home just once. He removed and painted a single wall before disappearing entirely. The victims tried to reach him multiple times through phone calls and text messages, and even sent a certified letter demanding a refund, but all of their communication went unanswered.
The victims reported the situation to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in April, which launched an investigation through its General Assignment Unit. Detectives reviewed the contractor’s business bank records and found that within days of receiving the $40,000 wire transfer, the account showed roughly $11,500 in cash and debit card withdrawals, alongside more than $33,500 in Zelle payments.
Investigators confirmed that none of these funds were used to buy construction materials for the victims’ home. Instead, records showed recurring charges to an online auction site where Struhar was buying autographed baseball cards. By the end of December, the business account was overdrawn, and it remained in the negative for nearly every month that followed.
During the investigation, detectives interviewed Struhar’s ex-wife, who stated that unpaid subcontractors had been visiting her home looking for him since December. She also told deputies that when she texted Struhar about the victims’ certified letter, he brushed it off, replying, “all good, already taken care of.” Following the probe, Detective Harrington presented the case file to the State Attorney for Florida’s 7th Circuit, who approved an arrest warrant. Judge Distler signed the warrant for grand theft of more than $20,000 and set a $50,000 bond.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly commented on the case following the arrest. “This contractor’s version of ‘if you build it, he will come’ was build nothing, take the cash, and buy baseball cards,” Staly said. “He painted one wall and called it a day. Contractors who think they can come to Flagler County and pocket someone’s money should think again. Our detectives will relentlessly track down scammers and thieves posing as honest professionals and take them to the Green Roof Inn.”
On Friday, the FCSO Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Problem Area Crime Enforcement Unit located and arrested Struhar for grand theft of more than $20,000. Deputies transported him to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was later released after posting his $50,000 bond.
In light of the incident, local authorities are reminding residents to verify credentials before hiring any building professionals. Homeowners can look up licensed local builders through the Flagler Home Builders Association directory at flaglerhba.com, or check statewide licensing records via the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at myfloridalicense.com. Experts advise consumers to always ask for proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and to contact two or three past customers to verify a contractor’s work history.
Property owners should also secure a detailed scope of work, a clear payment schedule, and official start and completion dates in writing before signing a contract. Law enforcement notes that reputable contractors rarely ask for the majority of the contract money upfront; while a standard down payment is normal, consumers should walk away if a builder demands the bulk of the cash before work begins.
To preserve a clear paper trail, payments should always be made by check or credit card rather than cash. Homeowners should also hold back a final payment until the project is fully completed and all official municipal permits are closed out, while ensuring they receive a signed lien release for every partial payment made along the way.
The investigation into Sunshine State Contractor Services, LLC remains active. Because detectives believe Struhar may have defrauded additional victims in the area, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office requests that anyone who has done business with him or his company and suspects they were scammed call the non-emergency line at 386-313-4911.
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