With a less-than-two minute hearing on Wednesday, several Bay Area homeowners who say they collectively lost hundreds of thousands dollars to a failed tiny home builder, got a flash of justice.
“Well, I’m happy that justice is moving forward,” said Martinez homeowner Lara Zanzucchi. “I came here today because I wanted justice for this case.”
The brief hearing was for Colton and Austin Paulhus, the co-founders of Anchored Tiny Homes. They face a 35-count “felony complaint” that claims they billed customers like Lara for more than $1,000,000 “despite performing no work and supplying no materials.” The complaint says the pair conspired and diverted more than $600,000 from their company “for expenses and activity unrelated to company projects.”
Lawyers told the judge they’re exchanging evidence, but neither Paulhus brother entered a plea. All the court and customers heard from the builders was a video acknowledgment that they’ll appear at a future hearing.
“Yes, your honor,” they said in unison.
This hearing is a mere blink of an eye in this two-year-long scandal. But former Anchored Tiny Homes customers told NBC Bay Area that they welcome any progress probing the builder’s sudden collapse and where their money went.
“I feel very confident that justice is on the way,” said former customer Janet Kaufman.
Prosecutors and Colton Paulhus’ attorney declined to comment. But, outside the courthouse, Austin Paulhus’ lawyer, Blair Goss briefly took questions. NBC Bay Area asked if Austin Paulhus if cooperating.
“Absolutely,” Goss said. “We’re here in court. We’re happy to cooperate, and see where things went wrong and make sure everything gets right.”
NBC Bay Area then asked if Austin Paulhus would testify against his brother, Colton. “I have no comment at this time,” Goss said.
After the hearing, several customers told me they met privately, for the first time, with the prosecutors handling this case.
“I think just meeting the D-A and the lead investigator, I can tell where their heart is,” Zanzucchi said.
Kaufman echoed that sentiment. “They’re there to do a job,” she said. ”And you could almost feel the energy that they’re angry for us.”
Several former Anchored Tiny Homes customers said they will return to the courtroom whenever the Paulus brothers’ case is on the docket. The judge ordered the brothers back in court January 12th.
