Contractor gets jail for bilking millions from Strafford, Rockingham county clients

Gerard Thibault in court during recent appearance (WMUR photo)

CONCORD - A Stratham contractor has been sentenced after pleading guilty to 23 counts of felony theft, some of which were committed in Strafford County.

Gerard Thibault, 54, of Stratham, was sentenced on Tuesday to 10-30 years in the New Hampshire State Prison.

Thibault owned and operated "Thibault's Handyman & Renovation Service, LLC" and "TR-Roofing LLC." His renovation business was also known as "Thibault's Renovation Services." He previously pleaded guilty to 23 counts of Class A Felony Theft by Unauthorized Taking for stealing from victims in both Rockingham and Strafford County.

An investigation by the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau revealed that Thibault accepted a total of over $2.4 million in advance installment payments from 23 victims without performing the work he promised to perform, according to a release from the Attorney Generals Office. He repeatedly gambled with such payments shortly after receiving them. In several instances, Thibault solicited payments while actively gambling.

On 11 of the theft charges, Thibault was sentenced to 7.5 to 15 years in the New Hampshire State Prison, stand committed, with 2.5 years suspended from the minimum term for 20 years after he is released from prison. On the remaining 12 theft charges, Thibault was sentenced to 7.5 to 15 years in the New Hampshire State Prison, stand committed, with 2.5 years suspended from the minimum term for 20 years after his release from prison, to be served consecutively.

In addition to Thibault's prison term, he is ordered to repay each of his 23 victims in full, in the total amount of $1,532,961.54. He is prohibited from gambling until he pays this restitution amount in full. Thibault is also ordered not to accept any advance payment for any goods or services and not to contact any of his victims.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of home contractor theft, please contact your local police department or file a consumer complaint with the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau at https://www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/consumer-complaints/.

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