Giles County deputies arrest couple for connection to fraud scheme targeting home contractors
GILES COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A couple is accused of using fake names to hire multiple contractors and not paying them after doing their jobs.
According to the Giles County Sheriff's Office, Nicholas Barnes and his wife, Ashley, were arrested Wednesday night and charged with theft of services and criminal conspiracy.
'I'm aware of at least three contractors who did the work for Nicholas Barnes and his wife, Ashley Barnes,' Investigator Steve Almada with the GCSO. 'Since the work was completed none of them has been paid for any of their services.'
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According to Almada, the couple is building a home in Giles County and has failed to pay at least three contractors approximately $60,000.
'From what I'm told, there are additional contractors involved with them, to date, that have not been paid for their services either,' Almada added.
Nicholas Barnes—who sometimes uses the alias John Fritz—is reportedly wanted for similar crimes in New York.
'You're telling me they are building a house on property they do not own?' asked News 2's Andy Cordan. 'That is highly irregular.'
'That is correct,' replied Almada.
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According to the Davidson County Clerk's Office, the couple was indicted in 2024 for charges of theft over $60-$250,000.
News 2 spoke Contrast Cine, a Nashville company that rents film equipment specializing in cameras and lenses. One of the managers reported they remember the Barnes' renting five expensive lenses and then later claiming that the lenses were lost.
According to the manager, the lens were used, but to replace them would cost about $90,000.
'There appears to be fraudulent activity going on with some of the automobiles they own,' Almada added.
Investigators in Giles County told News 2 that Nicholas was known to drive an exclusive Audi R8, which also raised red flags.
'The take away I believe is that they are involved in fraudulent activity, and they are victimizing quite a few people and I want to make sure they are brought to justice for all the people they are victimizing,' Almada concluded.
GCSO investigators urge anyone who has had any dealings with Ashley or Nicholas to contact the Giles County Sheriff's Office.
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