A Tucson man who posed as a licensed contractor and stole $75,000 from homeowners through unfinished projects has been sentenced to jail and probation, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office announced Monday.
Matthew Edmiston, 29, was sentenced on Oct. 1 to 30 days in jail, followed by 75 consecutive weekends, after pleading guilty to one felony count of theft and one misdemeanor count of contracting without a license. He was also placed on five years of probation and ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution to several victims, with additional claims allowed within 90 days of sentencing.
Prosecutors said that between January 2023 and August 2024, Edmiston took payments from nine homeowners for various projects — including roof repairs, countertop replacements, and shower remodels — but never completed the work. Despite not holding a contractor’s license, he presented himself as registered and accepted thousands of dollars in advance payments.
He was originally indicted in May on multiple counts of fraudulent schemes and contracting without a license, but most of the charges were dropped as part of a plea deal reached in August.
Authorities urged homeowners to verify a contractor’s credentials before hiring by checking with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, which tracks licensing and consumer complaints.
The Attorney General’s Office said the case underscores the state’s commitment to protecting consumers from fraudulent construction practices and holding unlicensed contractors accountable.
