In July 2022, the house on 2989 Queen City Road was deemed unsafe and unlivable by the City of Virginia Beach. The house was built and owned by my grandparents, Reba Carrington Bass and Romulus Bass. They were also my parents since they legally adopted me in 1976, and I lived there from birth until I graduated from college in 1987. Before my grandfather passed away on October 30, 1990, and my grandmother on April 6, 2006, the home was gifted to my aunt, their youngest of 7 children. My aunt lived there as an adult from 1998 until July 2022. Because of my aunt’s current disability, she could not take care of the house properly and could not make the repairs to satisfy the 12 state violation codes. She moved and lived with a relative in Spotsylvania, VA beginning May 2022. A letter from the City of Virginia Beach, dated July 20, 2022, was mailed to several other family members and me, that “the structure had to be repaired or removed within 14 days.” It was signed Raymond Mattes, Code Enforcement Supervisor. Although the house was deemed unsafe, trash and animal feces on the floor, I went inside the house and was able to find the deed. On August 30, 2022, my aunt signed the property over to me. I was able to find a contractor, Daniel Painter of Daniel’s Landscape and Hardscape. He gave me a contract dated 8/24/2022, to demolish the property for $9500. That was the best offer, he was referred to me by a relative, so I put full trust in him. He requested $4750 down to begin the project. The Code Enforcement Officers of Virginia Beach Raymond Mattes and James Howard helped Daniel Painter with information on how to acquire the permits, but Daniel did not follow through. On May 10, 2023, Daniel Painter reneged on the contract and said he would refund my money. I contacted him numerous times, he responded that he would refund my money, but has not refunded my $4750 yet. Because he does not live at the address that is on the contract, internet searches did not give his current address, and he refused to give me his current business address to be served the Warrant in Debt. I finally realized that I had been scammed. The City of Virginia Beach hired CM Munden Construction Services to complete the demolition instead. They could not wait on Daniel, and I did not have the amount to pay another company to complete the job. I reported Daniel Painter to the Virginia Beach Police Department Economic Crimes Unit for Theft by Deception and misrepresentation. They were not able to help me by charging him. I later realized after thorough research; Daniel Painter was never licensed to do the job. I also reported him to the Better Business Bureau and made several complaints to Angi’s List. I have all documented communication between the contractor, the city code enforcement officer, and myself. The City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation Code Enforcement Division is giving me until February 2024 to pay them $11,325.12 for them having to hire another contractor to complete the demolition that was completed in May 2023. On November 1, 2023, I was finally able to get a current address for Daniel Painter. My civil lawsuit court date was November 20, 2023, at 8:30 AM at Virginia Beach General District Court, Civil B, but he did not show. 2 days later his daughter contacted me because my phone number was on the Warrant in Debt. She said her father was in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in ICU on Life Support. I admit I cried because I was sorrowful toward him and his family. I empathized with her and told her I forgive him for what he has done to me, and please let him know. She could not promise to return the money that he owed. My next court date is December 18, 2023, at 8:30 AM. I’m sure the judge will rule in my favor since Daniel Painter was served, but I am still out $4750, and the bill I owe the City of Virginia Beach is $11,325.12. I contacted a mortgage company regarding building on the property once the $11,325.12 is paid. It is going to cost me at least $200,000 to build on the property. However, if I can get at least $11,325.12, I will be most grateful!