Wisconsin Contractor Accused of Pocketing $16,000 for Unfinished Kitchen Project

WASHBURN COUNTY, WISCONSIN — A northern Wisconsin contractor is accused of taking more than $16,000 from a client for a custom kitchen project that was never finished, according to newly filed court records.

Nathan Riggs, owner of Rustic Woodworx in Hayward, has been charged with felony theft by contractor after allegedly admitting to taking the full payment and failing to complete the work, DrydenWire reports.

Custom Kitchen Project Left Unfinished

Court documents show that Riggs accepted over $16,000 in 2023 for a kitchen renovation job in Washburn County. The client reportedly paid the full amount upfront for materials and labor, expecting the project to be completed within months.

However, investigators say Riggs never finished the job and later admitted to using the funds for other purposes. The homeowner eventually reported the issue to local authorities after repeated attempts to contact Riggs went unanswered.

Felony Theft Charge Filed

Prosecutors charged Riggs with theft by contractor — a felony offense under Wisconsin law, which applies when a contractor misuses or fails to deliver funds paid for construction work.

If convicted, Riggs could face up to 10 years in prison and significant fines.

The case is being handled by the Washburn County District Attorney’s Office, and a preliminary hearing is expected in the coming weeks.

Authorities urge homeowners to research contractors, check references, and avoid full upfront payments to protect themselves from similar scams.

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