License suspended: Local contractor accused of over $200,000 of unfinished work

Customers of Wood Construction say they've paid more than $200,000 for work that was never done.

Now, a contractor WRAL's 5 on Your Side has been tracking for months just surrendered his license rather than face the State Contractors Board.

Joe Wood, whose real first name is Leighton, is now listed as having his license revoked on the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors website.

If you go to Wood Construction’s website, it says only "Business is Closed."

Doreen DiCarlo is one of dozens who have accused Wood Construction of collecting money for projects that never happened.

"I really want people to know that this man is a crook. And that’s that," DiCarlo told 5 On Your Side.

DiCarlo still hasn’t gotten back the $21,000 she paid Wood Construction and Remodeling to build a new bathroom.

DiCarlo says the company never did any work.

She was ready to talk to the State Licensing Board for General Contractors on Wednesday, hoping they’d revoke Wood’s license.

"I’m going to do everything I can, so that other people don’t get ripped off the way we did," said DiCarlo.

However, before that could happen, Joe Wood surrendered his North Carolina Contractor’s License, and the hearing was canceled.

"He was a big coward and didn’t want to face anybody," said DiCarlo.

WRAL's 5 On Your Side has also learned that Wood’s Tennessee contractor’s license has been suspended, after that state’s Attorney General’s office identified nearly 50 people with claims against Wood.

Those cases are under investigation, as is DiCarlo’s case here in North Carolina.

Even so, she’s still frustrated. She’s still out more than $21,000 and feels like Wood has not had to answer for that.

"He thinks he can get away with anything," DiCarlo said. "And I think he can too."

5 On Your Side reached out to Wood’s attorneys about surrendering his North Carolina contractor’s license and whether he would pay back DiCarlo’s money.

Attorney Jason Arthur sent WRAL News this response: "Mr. Wood agreed to the voluntary surrender of his contractor’s license as a sign of his continued cooperation with state regulatory authorities and his commitment to work towards finding resolutions for the customer concerns of Wood Construction & Remodeling, LLC."