COMPLAINT: Alexis Cone, Manchaca, Texas

"I hired John De La Cruz, the owner of D Construction in Austin, Texas, to do some renovation work around my house. He had showed me pictures of jobs he had performed, and he and his wife told us how involved they were in their church. He asked me to do work at my house because jobs were slow for him at the time. I paid him a total of $8,202, but he only completed $4,800 worth of work.

"During the project, I gave him a large sum of money for materials he said he needed. But after he cashed that check, I never saw him again and he didn't return my calls. I was able to obtain his wife's phone number, but when I contacted her, she was belligerent and rude, and hung up. The workers he used have since contacted us; apparently, they're illegal immigrants and weren't paid for the work they did. He owes them $1,300. I've attempted to contact Mr. De La Cruz many times, but he won't return my calls."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want my $3,402 back."

STATUS: Penalty Box