Lawyers for Beattie Development release statement; Former customers respond with statement

The lawyers for Beattie Development have released a statement after a barrage of accusations saying that the company took money for construction projects and never finished the work.

The statement confirmed that there is a government investigation against Paul Beattie and his company, Beattie Development Corporation.

This comes a week after his office was raided by law enforcement. Since the raid of the Beattie development offices, WINK News has spoken dozens of former Beattie homeowners, employees, and subcontractors.

• READ MORE: Beattie Development office raided; witnesses say someone was in handcuffs

We haven’t heard directly from Paul Beattie, but his attorney, Simon Gaugush, sent WINK News a statement, responding to claims that Beattie didn’t finish the job and didn’t pay subcontractors. It reads,

“Paul Beattie and Beattie Development Corporation have built or remodeled over 2,800 homes in the Southwest Florida area since 2009. Over the years, they have employed more than 590 local workers on a full-time basis and thousands of local subcontractors. This is a legitimate company that has succeeded in putting over a thousand families into new or renovated homes. We have offered to cooperate in the government’s ongoing investigation regarding the company’s inability to commence or finish a number of building projects. We expect this investigation will conclude with a favorable resolution for Paul Beattie and the company.” Simon Gaugush, representing Paul Beattie and Beattie Development Corporation

There is no mention of any specific incidents, just an overall mention of leaving several building projects unfinished.

One former Beattie customer gave WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean a response to Beattie’s attorney. Former Beattie customers as a group wrote the statement. It reads,

“Mr. Gaugash,
On behalf of the 100+ homebuilders and remodelers that were under contract with Beattie Development, thank you for breaking the silence of Mr. Beattie. We have one question in response to your statement.
What about the 100+ people who were told “There is no money left to complete your house,” after collecting cash for the escalation fees and upgrade costs, as well as all or almost all of their construction loan funds—and being told they would not get any of that money back? What is the “favorable resolution” for these families?
We look forward to your response.”

Group of former Beattie customers to Beattie representative

On Thursday, WINK News went back to see Stuart Owen at his unfinished home to hear his reaction to the statement. He is out thousands of dollars.

“When I read the statement that was posted, I just kind of felt it was standard lawyer speak. I mean, I’ve never seen an attorney yet come out and say my clients innocent are guilty to start with, I think it’s standard lawyers speak. I’m confident that the police department and the people investigating, the truth will come out, and I hope they spend the time to find other people in his organization that were involved, because it’s not just a one man operation.

When asked about the “legitimate company” claim in the Beattie statement, Owen said, “he had a great reputation, but something’s gone really bad the last three years, and he’s behind it.”

Courtney Porter, another former Beattie customer also responded to the Beattie statement. Porter said, “The statement by Paul Beattie’s attorney was nothing but damage control. I have faith in the justice system and I know justice will be served in time. Good things take time.”

We continue to press Cape Coral Police every day to explain why they raided Beattie Development last Wednesday.

We also have sent public records requests to numerous agencies.

READ MORE:

• Beattie Development Warehouse; homeowners items on sale and Beattie cars towed to be resold
• “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” former Beattie customer says. Another former Beattie employee speaks out
• EXCLUSIVE: Former Beattie Development project manager speaks out
• Where’s Beattie? Former customers speak out; connect through group chat
• Beattie Development subcontractors speak out