Homeowners’ Worst Nightmare Nets Crooked Contractor Five Years in Prison

Atlanta Couple Lost Nearly $300,000 to Wyman Dover Following Years of Deceit

Atlanta— Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that, following his guilty plea, Wyman Daniel Dover (60) has been sentenced to 10 years (five of which are to be served in prison, with the balance on probation). Dover pleaded guilty to theft by taking (two counts) and theft by conversion of payments for real property improvements (six counts). He must also write an apology letter to the victims and have no further contact with them. He is also prohibited from holding a position of trust involving money for any home renovation or repair work.

Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Beasley hired the defendant and his company, War Eagle Construction Group, as the contractor to perform extensive improvements and renovations to their house on Rockingham Drive in northwest Atlanta. Beginning in June of 2000, the victims paid Dover approximately $290,000 for the work, but an examination of the company’s bank records revealed that he subsequently appropriated much of it for his own use.

By January of 2001, the defendant had stopped answering the Beasley’s telephone calls, and they had to track him down at another job site to discuss the delays in completing the work. At that meeting, he insisted on more money to make up for “overages” he claimed he had incurred. The Beasleys requested a complete set of receipts and gave him $35,000 more. Within a week, work had stopped for good, and the Beasleys never heard from Dover again. Certified letters sent to him were returned.

Soon, subcontractors began to arrive at the victims’ home claiming that they were owed money and that the defendant said he was having trouble getting money from the Beasleys. Over the next three days, these workers began threatening the couple, who paid them simply to make the men leave them alone. By this time, the Beasleys knew the situation was hopeless and hired a moving company to go to Dover’s warehouse in order to remove the items intended for their home that he was storing. To their surprise, they found only some faucets, a toilet, and a few other items. Missing were a jacuzzi bathtub, five toilets, six sinks, and several vanities, which had all been paid for by the victims. They soon hired a new contractor, and five weeks—and another $87,000—later, the home was at the stage where the drywall could finally be installed.

Ultimately, the couple ended up paying the subcontractors another $34,000, which was money they had already paid the defendant to cover their labor. With interest, the Beasleys lost over $275,000 as a direct result of the defendant’s criminal actions, and they have received no restitution to date. In an emotional statement to the judge, however, the victims told of the impact Dover’s crimes had had on them over the past four years and that they preferred to see him go to prison, even if it means not receiving any restitution.

The case was investigated by Senior Investigator Tom Rumble of the District Attorney’s White Collar Crime Unit and prosecuted by Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Brad Malkin. Judge Jerry Baxter presided.

CONTACT: Erik Friedly, 404.224.0560 (office); 770.583.6069 (pager); erik.friedly@co.fulton.ga.us