Contractor Felipe Olinger Sentenced in Absentia to 364 Days in the House of Corrections for Felony Theft

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Felipe Olinger, age 39, has been sentenced in absentia in the Hillsborough County - Southern District Superior Court on a class A Felony count of theft by unauthorized taking.

Olinger fraudulently solicited $28,500 in deposits and advance payments related to a home renovation project he agreed to perform. Rather than apply the funds towards the project, he used them to fund his lifestyle and travel on vacations.

Olinger pleaded guilty to the charge on June 30, 2023. The Court found that after he pleaded guilty, Olinger purposefully absented himself from the jurisdiction in order to avoid being sentenced. The Court sentenced him in absentia to serve a stand committed sentence of 364 days in the House of Corrections. He must also pay restitution of $28,500 and will be prohibited from taking prepayments or deposits prior to providing any goods or services in the course of conducting trade or commerce in New Hampshire for a period of five years. His sentence will begin upon his apprehension. In the event he pays full restitution and voluntarily surrenders himself, he may petition the Court to suspend up to four months of the sentence.

This case was investigated by Investigator Calice Couchman-Ducey of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau. It was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Zachary Frish and Senior Assistant Attorney General Brandon Garod, also of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of home contractor fraud or theft, please contact your local police department and file a consumer complaint with the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau at: https://www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints/index.htm.