CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — A Cranston veteran and his wife say they’re out nearly $3,000 after paying a contractor who never fixed their leaking chimney.

Jim Garland told 12 Responds he hired Shawn Perry with Rhode Island Chimney Sweep Pros twice and paid him upfront, but Perry never completed the last job and instead took off with his money. Garland contacted 12 Responds in an attempt to get that money back.

This summer, Perry told 12 News that he was going to pay Garland back, but then stopped responding to multiple phone calls and text messages.

In the video above, 12 News consumer reporter Sarah Guernelli shares why state regulators have fined Perry nearly $100,000 and why Garland is calling his situation a "cautionary tale."

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