Lebanon, Missouri: Business owner says she was scammed by traveling asphalt company

LEBANON, Mo. (KY3) — A Lebanon motel owner thought she was getting a bargain when an asphalt company came along and offered to do repairs. She spent $18,000, and the work still isn’t done.

The task was to pay part of the payment at the famous Munger Moss Motel on Route 66.

“And create an area where the water can drain,” said Shelly Cravens.

She says she hired Henry Stanley from New Hampshire to do the job.

“I saw the New Hampshire license plates. I thought maybe they just moved here and opened a business. I’m just assuming no one is lying and they do what they say,” she said.

Cravens says Stanley went to the motel and said he had leftover asphalt he needed to get rid of. She paid him $18,000. He was supposed to come back and finish the job. That was two weeks ago. Now she can’t reach him, but Stanley answered when On Your Side called. Ashley Reynolds asked when he was coming back. He didn’t answer and hung up. Reynolds called back and tried to ask him about his past.

Two years ago, a New Hampshire resident named Henry Stanley was wanted and later arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Investigators say he was involved in a “paving” scam that involved shoddy work. He spent two months behind bars.

Stanley told Reynolds that it wasn’t him. It was just a coincidence. Also, the number on his business card didn’t match the company’s website.

“Scammers like to pose as legitimate companies,” says Pamela Hernandez of the Better Business Bureau. “They try to take advantage of their reputation and brand. That’s another reason why it’s so important to verify who you’re talking to. If you have a business card, look for the publicly available number instead. Make sure the information matches, then call.”

Stanley also told Reynolds that he hung up three times because he was working in St. Louis.

For such a job, pay when it is completed. If it takes several days, you can pay in thirds.

• One third in advance as a deposit.
• Another third is when the work is half done.
• And the final payment when the work is done to your satisfaction.

Cravens filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General.

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