Andrew Kirchhoefer, 42, of Belleville, Illinois, has admitted to running a rigged remodeling racket that left homeowners with empty promises and half-finished homes. Doing business as Liberty International Operations Group, Inc. and Gateway Constructions Solutions, Inc., Kirchhoefer pled guilty to wire fraud and failure to file a corporate federal income tax return, according to U.S. Attorney Donald S. Boyce for the Southern District of Illinois.
The scam stretched from October 2014 to February 2016, during which Kirchhoefer signed contracts with homeowners across Illinois and Missouri for extensive remodeling work. He demanded large upfront down payments—money he collected with no intention of delivering the services promised. In nearly every case, little or no work followed the cash handover.
Victims paid thousands expecting renovations, only to be ghosted mid-project. Some were left with exposed wiring, torn-out walls, and unusable living spaces. Kirchhoefer used the funds for personal expenses instead of materials or labor, investigators confirmed. The fraud allowed him to operate a shell operation with no accountability.
Kirchhoefer now faces a statutory maximum of 21 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $350,000. He also risks up to three years of supervised release following any prison term. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 15, 2018.
The case emerged from a joint probe by IRS Criminal Investigations and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. Evidence included bank records, contracts, and victim testimonies that painted a clear picture of systematic deception. Federal prosecutors built airtight charges based on electronic transfers and false representations made to clients.
Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith handled the prosecution. Officials are urging other potential victims to come forward, warning that unlicensed contractors often exploit trust for profit. Kirchhoefer’s dual guilty plea underscores the criminal overlap between fraud and tax evasion in underground contracting schemes.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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