Kirkland, Washington, home remodeler pleads guilty to wire fraud for scheme using forged subcontractor invoices

Press Release

Stole more than $3.5 million from dozens of customers using fake invoices for subcontractor work

Seattle - A 58-year-old Kirkland, Washington, home remodeling contractor pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to wire fraud for his scheme to steal more than $3.5 million from customers using fake invoices, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Joseph D. Bergevin admitted that he forged invoices to steal money from 24 customers who had hired him for their remodeling projects. U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead scheduled sentencing for November 7, 2024.

According to the plea agreement, between 2016 and 2019, Bergevin served as the general contractor on a number of home remodeling projects. As the general contractor, Bergevin was responsible for arranging for subcontractors to do specific work on the project and making sure they got paid. However, during the wire fraud scheme, Bergevin presented his customers with hundreds of forged subcontractor invoices. Bergevin used the names, logos, and other identifying information about the subcontractors to create the false invoices. He then sent them to the customers for payment. Bergevin falsely told the customer that the invoice was for work that had been done or would be done. In some instances, he claimed that by paying "up front" the customer could lock in lower rates for building materials when the work was done.

The false invoices totaled $3,554,054 and went to twenty-four different customers. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Bergevin is responsible for at least $3,554,054 in restitution. Prosecutors will present evidence at sentencing supporting restitution for all the losses caused by the criminal conduct in this scheme.

Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence at the low end of the guidelines range determined by the court. Judge Whitehead is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to twenty years in prison.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Kirkland Police Department, and King County Sheriff's Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Dion and Yunah Chung.

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Updated August 1, 2024