Repayment deal ends case against Lehigh County contractor

Prosecutors and a Tamaqua man have agreed to withdraw theft-related charges against a Lehigh County contractor, but only after he pays back $2,000.

Joshua Lee Gruber, 41, of 50 Glen Road, Alburtis, was scheduled to appear Tuesday before District Judge Stephen J. Bayer on charges of deceptive business practices, theft by deception-false impression, and receiving payment for services in advance and failing to perform the services.

After discussions between Schuylkill County Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Foose; Gruber’s attorney, Matthew Rossi; and the alleged victim, Frederick Lahovski, they agreed to withdraw the charges with stipulations.

Rush Township police Patrolman Robert Bechtel filed the charges.

Lahovski reported he contacted GLI Construction and Remodeling LLC, owned by Gruber, about the installation of a bay window on his home. Then Aug. 28, 2020, he received a $1,804.75 quote from Marvic Supply Co. Inc. for materials.

Lahovski paid a deposit of $2,000 to Gruber, by check, on Sept. 2, 2020, said Bechtel, adding that the check was cashed Sept. 4, 2020.

Bechtel said Lahovski contacted Gruber on Jan. 5 regarding the status of the work and was told the materials were ordered and that he would be contacted when the materials were in.

On Feb. 16, Lahovski contacted Marvic Supply and was told Gruber never placed the order.

Lahovski’s subsequent attempts to contact Gruber, including a certified letter that was returned unclaimed, failed.

Gruber contacted Lahovski on June 2 and said the materials arrived and, after being confronted with the discrepancies, said he would contact Marvic Supply to release the window directly to Lahovski. Lahovski contacted the company and learned he had to buy it directly from the company.

Bechtel said that from that point forward, Lahovski received no further contact or services from Gruber. The officer’s attempts to contact Gruber also failed.