Man sentenced to prison for builder fraud

CHARLEVOIX — Steven Edward Broman, 46, Indian River, was sentenced to serve 28 months to 15 years in prison recently in the 33rd Circuit Court, according to a press release from Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney Allen Telgenhof. 

According to police affidavits filed in two cases against Broman, in 2019 and 2020, he agreed to perform residential construction work for two Charlevoix County victims.

In one incident, in the City of Charlevoix, he was paid $13,700 but failed to do any work or to return the money to the victim.

In the other file, Broman agreed to perform work in Hudson Township and was paid over $100,000 but failed to properly complete the work. According to the affidavits, rather than remedying that homeowner’s situation, the work performed actually worsened the situation and forced them to move in with relatives for an extended period.

“This is a situation where the defendant took advantage of people who were really in need,” Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney Allen Telgenhof said. “He was not a licensed builder or contractor but took these people’s money and left them as well as subcontractors high and dry.”

On Feb 18, 2021, Broman pleaded guilty to false pretenses $50,000 to $100,000 and fraudulent use of the building contract fund.

He was sentenced to prison on the first charge and 12 concurrent months in jail on the second. Broman was also ordered to pay $170,000 in restitution for the victims.