North Port contractor charged with grand theft

PORT CHARLOTTE — Several unhappy customers paved the way for a North Port contractor to be arrested on theft charges earlier this week.

Brian Frederick White, 58, is currently facing six counts each of grand theft and contractor permit violations arising from allegations out of Charlotte County.

Deputies with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office reported they had received multiple calls regarding incomplete home construction by Harpers 1980 LLC, which is owned by White.

In one instance from 2023, a Rotonda West resident reached an agreement with Harpers to install a new lanai to replace one damaged by Hurricane Ian. The agreed upon price was $21,300, with a deposit of $8,200 before work began.

Though an electrician subcontractor did arrive at the resident's house to install a power box for roll-down screens, the resident alleged that no further work took place after the agreement. A demand letter was subsequently sent in February this year to either have Harpers complete the work or refund the deposit.

According to CCSO's Economic Crimes Unit, there were records that Harpers had applied for permits for the contract around the time of the deposit. Those permits expired in December 2023, before being renewed and later canceled by Harpers in May of this year.

In another instance, a Port Charlotte resident signed a check for a $5,000 deposit to Harpers after being told it was needed to put her pool cage job on the company's wait list.

That contract was signed in March 2023. By October, the customer was told that work would begin in March 2024. By May 2024, work still had not begun.

The contractor violations stem from the fact that White, as the operator of Harpers, collected deposits of at least 10% of the total cost and applied for permits for the work.

Florida law stipulates that work must be started within 90 days of attaining permits, and that refunds must be made available if the work fails to progress.

White was arrested by deputies and taken to Charlotte County Jail, where he was later released on $30,000 total bond.

His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 12.