A Portland-based home contractor recently investigated by the CBS13 I-Team is now facing serious legal trouble, including criminal charges and a civil lawsuit filed by the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
Tim Galvez, 33, was arrested this week by Westbrook Police after being indicted on a felony charge of Theft by Unauthorized Taking. Authorities said the indictment stems from a years-long investigation into Galvez’s alleged fraudulent business dealings.
According to Westbrook Police, the home repair scheme appears to have gone on for several years, with at least 14 victims identified so far. Combined, their reported losses amount to several hundred thousand dollars.
The indictment lists 16 alleged victims from York County to the Midcoast region, claiming total losses of more than $380,000. Investigators said Galvez often demanded large upfront payments, failed to secure necessary permits, and either left work unfinished or performed it poorly.
In addition to the criminal case, the Maine Attorney General’s Office has filed a civil lawsuit accusing Galvez of violating multiple sections of the Unfair Trade Practices Act. While the lawsuit doesn’t name individual victims, it seeks restitution for numerous consumers harmed by Galvez’s conduct.
Cindy Cyr from Cumberland County appears to be one of those victims. She previously shared her story with the I-Team, explaining how she hired Galvez for home repairs in late 2023.
“I would love to be made whole, I would love for that to happen,” Cyr said, reacting to news of the lawsuit. “It was big enough and everybody had complained so I was hopeful that there was enough momentum that something would happen.”
Documents show that Cyr signed a contract with Galvez for work on new clapboards, window trim, and exterior painting. After paying him $40,000, she said he gave excuses and eventually abandoned the job.
“I gave him the other $20,000, another week went by and nobody had done anything,” Cyr said. “Still no materials so I said, you know, I want my money back.”
The Attorney General’s complaint alleges that since at least 2019, Galvez operated under multiple business names — such as Tim’s Express Decks, Odd Jobs, LLC, and Galvez Properties LLC — in an attempt to escape bad reviews and consumer complaints.
“In essence, he was trying to outrun his reputation for poor business practices including defective and incomplete work,” the lawsuit claims.
In several cases, including Cyr’s, the AG alleges Galvez only offered refunds if clients removed negative online reviews. Cyr said Galvez even came to her house and demanded she delete one.
“He actually showed up at my door and insisted that it be taken down,” she said.
In response to the lawsuit, Galvez said he opposes the claims and wants a chance to defend himself. He argued that there are “a lot of holes in this lawsuit” but added he’s open to a settlement.
While Cyr eventually recovered half of her money, she noted many others are still waiting for justice.
“I was kind of disappointed that it took so long, but I’m glad that it’s making progress now,” she said. “It took the village and it took persistence.”
Galvez is currently out on $5,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment in early August. His bail conditions prohibit contact with any alleged victims and ban him from entering into new home improvement contracts.
When reached by the I-Team, Galvez declined to comment.
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