VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. -- The Van Buren County Sheriff's office reports an arrest warrant has been put out for 58-year-old Gordon Leighton of the Lawton area following a fraud investigation.

Authorities report that Leighton has been operating without a license in Van Buren County.

The report states the Road Patrol Division has been working alongside the Criminal Investigation Division and the charges have now been authorized for Leighton.

Leighton is charged with Felony Contractor-Fraud and Misdemeanor Unlicensed Residential Builder.

Deputies say the fraud incident was originally reported in August 2024, when the victims came forward with concerns regarding Leighton, who they hired to rebuild their recently burned down home.

The victim said they had received a payout from their insurance company and paid Leighton to build them a new home in November 2022. 

The report states the family has been renting an apartment during the alleged rebuild. 

The family says they've been renting an apartment for about two years awaiting the construction of their new house. 

Authorities say Leighton started construction, pouring the foundation, in January 2023, and the last time any work was done was in October 2023. 

Deputies say the home has stood as just a stick frame with no siding or interior work being done.

The family told authorities they're out over $95,000 of the remaining construction which they have already paid for. 

During the investigation, deputies say it was found that Leighton was operating without a license and was moving funds around from other construction jobs to cover the costs of other jobs.

The sheriff's office reports this does not appear to be an isolated incident and they expect more victims to come forward. 

Anyone with information can contact the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office at (269) 657- 3101, Crime Stoppers 1-800-342-7867, Silent Observer (269) 343-2100, or your local police department.