Recovery funds for victims of contractor, real estate fraud now available

PHOENIX - Our state's improved financial outlook is good news for some victims of fraud.

The ABC15 Investigators have learned that recovery fund money set aside for victims of contractor, real estate and other frauds, is now available.

Judy Goldberg of Phoenix is delighted she got a check for $26,000.

Her money came from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors recovery fund, paid into by contractors for victims of contractor fraud.

Goldberg gave a solar company full payment, but the company didn't deliver, and neither did the recovery fund she counted on.

That's because millions of dollars paid into the fund, was swept into the general fund by state legislators.

Legislators say the money was needed during a tough economic time.

More than $1 billion was taken from the Real Estate department fund, the Registrar of Contractors fund and others.

But this year, there are no longer sweeps.

The Registrar of Contractors fund will have nearly $190,000 by the end of the year.

Judy waited 16 months to get her money.

The waiting times are down to around 13 months for the contractors fund.

The waiting time was near six months before the legislative sweeps.

Check out our original investigation.

Contact the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and the Arizona Department of Real Estate if you want to make a recovery fund claim.

Email me with any issue you want investigated or tell me about it on my ABC15 Facebook page .