Construction owner accused of taking nearly $10K from elderly couple

VANDERBURGH CO., Ind. (WFIE) - Deputies say a Tri-State construction company owner altered a client’s check to steal thousands of dollars.

Matthew Martin, owner of Matthew Martin Construction, is charged with fraud and theft.

Deputies say his victims are an elderly Evansville couple who contacted them after discovering their bank account had been drained.

They say the couple hired Martin for small jobs and usually paid him no more than $300.

The victim told detectives that Martin asked her to leave the payee line blank because he did not have a bank account and had others cash checks for him.

Deputies say he also asked that she fill in the numerical amount on the check but leave the written dollar amount blank.

They say, in total, Martin stole nearly $10,000.

Deputies say Martin adm