Victims Speak Out After Unlicensed Contractor Arrested in Palm Beach County

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Palm Beach County man has been arrested for operating as an unlicensed contractor and defrauding homeowners out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Authorities say Franklin Ebersole, the owner of Ebersole Design Build, LLC, has been accused of scamming at least six residents across Riviera Beach, Delray Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens, collecting nearly $270,000 for work he never completed.

Years of Deception Uncovered

Lisa Izquierdo, one of Ebersole’s victims, spent years trying to hold him accountable. After his recent arrest, she expressed relief.

“It’s about time he got caught,” Izquierdo said.

She had hired Ebersole to remodel her kitchen after receiving a recommendation from a neighbor. Believing he was properly licensed and insured, she moved forward with the project. However, delays and poor-quality work quickly raised red flags.

“The cabinets had nicks and scratches everywhere. Garbage was left all over my home,” she recalled.

Concerned, Izquierdo began researching Ebersole’s history. What she found was alarming—complaints stretching back to 2009 in multiple states, including Virginia.

Another Victim Speaks Out

Oren Narunsky, another homeowner, shared a similar experience. He paid $20,000 as a deposit for a project that never began.

“He kept pushing the start date back, over and over. Six months later, he disappeared and stopped responding,” Narunsky said.

Frustrated, Narunsky took legal action and now warns others to be extra cautious when hiring contractors.

“Always check the DBPR website for complaints. Get the owner’s full name and verify their license before signing anything,” he advised.

Legal Fallout and Next Steps

Ebersole was arrested and later released on a $50,000 bond. However, victims say their chances of financial recovery are slim—Ebersole has since filed for bankruptcy.

Authorities are urging anyone else who may have been affected by Ebersole’s fraudulent activities to come forward.

For homeowners, officials emphasize the importance of verifying contractor credentials through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to avoid falling victim to similar scams.