Woman says contractor Gene Gore took money, abandoned project

Snellville police are looking for a contractor accused of taking a customer's money, but leaving her home in shambles. Investigators say there could be more victims out there.

The contractor told Channel 2 Action News it's all a big misunderstanding.

"I just want to stop him from taking anybody else," said homeowner Susan Barbee.

She said her home on Ramblewood Way in Snellville has been an unfinished mess since May, when her contractor left her high and dry.

"I did give him $3,300 up front. He did go immediately and cash it at the bank, which was my first red flag," Barbee told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh.

Barbee said she ultimately paid more than $4,000. But, she said 57-year-old Gene Gore of Grayson sent a crew to tear off her siding and her deck, and never came back.

Barbee said she started doing some research online and found lawsuits against Gore filed by other homeowners and business owners , including supplier Bill Humphries.

"We're out about $6,500," he said.

Humphries claims Gore purchased equipment on his business account that he never paid for.

Humphries showed us the civil judgement which he was awarded.

"It's been over a year now and I doubt if we'll ever see anything out of that," he said.

Barbee also brought her story to Snellville police.

"He would keep in touch with her always face to face and after transaction was made, he pretty much disappeared," said Detective Orlando Concepcion.

On Thursday, police issued an arrest warrant for Gore on theft by conversion charges.

Kavanaugh contacted Gore over the phone, who said he has offered to refund Barbee all her money "but she wouldn't accept it," Gore said,

Police believe that offer only came about after Barbee pressed charges.

Gore said he wasn't admitting he was wrong, but wanted to make this go away.

He said he couldn't speak to Kavanaugh in person because he planned on tuing himself in to Snellville police Tuesday.

At the time this story was published, he had not.