A Palm Coast couple thought they were paying for a home makeover. Instead, investigators say their contractor poured tens of thousands of their dollars into signed baseball cards and left their house virtually untouched.
Michael Struhar, a St. Augustine contractor operating under Sunshine State Contractor Services LLC, was arrested after the couple reported that the $40,000 they wired for renovations produced almost no finished work. The homeowners told deputies Struhar showed up once, removed and painted a single wall, then stopped returning calls and texts. Detectives allege that instead of buying construction materials, a large chunk of the money went to online auctions for signed baseball cards. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is still active and that other customers may also have been hit.
According to News4JAX, the couple wired Struhar the $40,000 in December 2025 after signing a general service agreement that called for the project to be completed within three months. Investigators say bank records show roughly $11,500 in cash and debit withdrawals and more than $33,500 in Zelle payments within days of the transfer. By the end of December, Struhar’s account was reportedly overdrawn and remained negative in many months that followed. The sheriff’s General Assignment Unit opened the case after the homeowners reported the problem in April.
As reported by WFTV, deputies say Struhar painted one wall and then disappeared from the job, even after the homeowners sent a certified letter demanding a refund. Investigators traced recurring charges to an online auction site where they say Struhar bought signed baseball cards instead of paying subcontractors or purchasing materials. The sheriff’s office says unpaid subcontractors began showing up at the contractor’s ex-wife’s home in December, adding to the wave of complaints.
Company Filings And Red Flags
Florida Department of State business records for Sunshine State Contractor Services list a Palm Coast principal address and show the company as inactive, according to the Florida Division of Corporations. Those filings, available on the state’s Sunbiz portal, can help homeowners confirm a company’s registered agent and filing history before they sign anything. While corporate records alone do not determine criminal guilt, investigators say gaps in filings or inactive statuses are among the warning signs people should look for before handing over large up-front deposits.
Legal Status And Sheriff’s Response
Detectives presented the case to the State Attorney’s Office, which approved an arrest warrant. A judge then signed a grand theft warrant for more than $20,000 and set bond at $50,000, according to News4JAX. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit and Problem Area Crime Enforcement Unit arrested Struhar, who was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later released on the $50,000 bond.
Sheriff Rick Staly described the alleged setup as a “build nothing, take the cash, and buy baseball cards” scheme and said detectives will pursue anyone who poses as an honest professional. Authorities listed the sheriff’s nonemergency line as 386-313-4911 for tips.
Investigators say the probe remains active and are urging anyone who did business with Struhar or Sunshine State Contractor Services to contact the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. The case also serves as a reminder for homeowners to verify licenses, ask for proof of insurance, get a detailed written scope of work and resist paying most of a contract up front. This story will be updated if prosecutors file additional charges or more records become public.
