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North Hills Pool Contractor In Jail

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A North Hills man who has been associated with swimming pool businesses leaving customers dissatisfied is in jail.

Thomas Hodak faces charges including theft by deception and deceptive business practices.

A Washington Township woman went to the district attorney's office two years ago complaining about Hodak and credits the DA with pushing the case forward.

Laura Bendtsen said she and her husband lost $2,700 when another company suggested Hodak do swimming pool work in their yard.

"He demands cash payment," she said. "He doesn't claim an income and he can't be held to give the public restitution so the only way to get justice was criminal charges."

He was only on the job an hour before he disappeared and she never heard from him again.

She's happy he's in jail and hopes he'll be locked up a long time because of his criminal behavior.

Nine years ago, KDKA's John Shumway did a story on Hodak because of all the customer complaints about his work.

No sentencing date has been set.

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