Local Builder Paid For Renovations, Doesn't Deliver: Authorities

DALLAS, GA — A local builder who authorities said was paid by multiple clients for renovations he never finished was arrested before Thanksgiving by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.

James Allen Belli, 49, was charged with four counts of theft by conversion of payments for real property improvement, and a warrant for failure to appear. Belli was arrested on Nov. 20.

“Each of the cases are very similar because Belli would take a portion of the money up front for materials and other expenses, and then he would never complete the work or provides the materials,” said Sgt. Ashley Henson, public information officer for the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.

In some cases, Henson said, Belli would complete some of the work. Eventually, he would make up excuses for why he couldn’t complete the job, then disappear.

Anyone with similar dealings with Belli is asked to contact Paulding County Sheriff’s detectives at 770-443-3015.