Chesterfield police arrest accused scam artist

By Tracy Vreeland
WBTW Executive Producer
Published: November 20, 2008

Chesterfield police have arrested a man accused of scamming an 84-year-old woman out of $65,000 she thought would be used to rebuild her home.

Rommie Williams, owner of Williams Construction in Orangeburg, was found in church on Sunday and is charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent, Chesterfield police said.

Ella Jane Sellers said her family helped her find the contractor to rebuild her home — where she’d lived since 1950 and which was destroyed by fire three years ago — and felt comfortable hiring him because he said he was a reverend. She signed a contract with the contractor in March 2007 to rebuild her home in three months for a total of $65,000.

Chesterfield Police Chief Randall Lear said in a previous interview the suspect used someone else’s license to obtain a building permit because he’s not a licensed contractor.

Lear said he spoke with Williams last month, and though Williams agreed turn himself in, he didn’t.

Meanwhile, the people of Chesterfield are trying to help Sellers move into a livable home by Christmas. A building supply house is donating materials at cost, high school students are handling the electrical and interior build out, and a local contractor will oversee the work. A fund to help offset the cost of the construction also has been established in Sellers’ name at First Citizens Bank. They will present an audit of the fund to the public once the construction is complete.

Williams’ first court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 30.  He also was wanted in Dorchester County for failure to pay child support.