Utah contractor convicted of defrauding developer
SALT LAKE CITY - A St. George contractor has been convicted for fraud after prosecutors say he pocketed nearly $800,000 instead of using the money to build homes in Utah and Nevada.
Aaron Needham was convicted Tuesday of eight felony counts of communications fraud and one felony count of a pattern of unlawful activity. He faces one to 15 years in prison on each count at sentencing March 13.
Court documents show a developer gave Needham money to buy three homes in St. George and four homes in Mesquite between 2004 and 2005.
Investigators say he used the money to pay off subcontractors for past work, and for his own personal expenses, including a state fine.
Utah Attorney General John Swallow announced the conviction Friday.
