Attorney General Hanaway Halts Contractor Fraud Against Elderly

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her office secured a jury conviction against Daniel Eschliman for scamming an elderly couple out of more than $42,000. Eschliman stole from the victims over the course of six months. During those six months, Eschliman repeatedly promised the victims he would complete a home addition, all while spending the money on himself.

"Financial exploitation devastates families and trust in our communities. When people invest their savings into improving their homes, they deserve honesty, not deception," said General Hanaway. "Thanks to the victims who reported this fraud, we were able to secure this jury verdict, ensuring a criminal who targeted vulnerable Missourians is behind bars. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of contractor fraud, please report it to our consumer protection team."

On September 29, a Jackson County jury convicted Eschliman of Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person, Stealing by Deceit, and Deceptive Business Practices. Upon finding Eschliman guilty, the jury recommended a sentence of ten years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Attorney General's Office's Consumer Protection Section after the victims filed a complaint against Eschliman. Assistant Attorneys General Joe Bliss and Jared Johnstone successfully prosecuted the case.

Eschliman is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8 in Jackson County. Eschliman was criminally charged in one other contractor fraud case and has been sued civilly numerous times.

General Hanaway urges anyone who believes they have been a victim of a home construction scam to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section at 800-392-8222 or file a complaint online at ago.mo.gov.

Just as the Consumer Protection Section exemplifies the Attorney General's Office's commitment to safeguarding Missourians, the office is proud to be home to some of the state's most skilled consumer-protection attorneys and investigators. These dedicated professionals investigate and prosecute deceptive and fraudulent practices, working tirelessly to hold bad actors accountable and secure justice for victims. Attorneys interested in joining this tradition of excellence and public service are encouraged to explore current opportunities at https://ago.mo.gov/about-us/job-opportunities/.