Polson man pleads not guilty to misusing construction funds

A Polson man is accused of accepting money for a construction project and misappropriating the funds. Andrew Elwood Hoel, 50, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court Oct. 19 to two felony charges of exploitation of an elderly or disabled person.

According to court records, Hoel was given money up front to build a home for a couple in their 70s. Hoel was allowed to draw funds from a construction loan as materials were purchased and was expected to pay subcontractors as work was completed from Sept 1, 2018 to July 1, 2020.

The charging documents allege Hoel took draws from the construction loan for materials he had not purchased, or that were not present at the job site when Hoel was fired. Hoel represented to the couple that he had paid for the materials, subcontractors and that work was being completed.

Hoel allegedly charged the couple over $56,000 for concrete work that cost less than $46,000. The concrete company only received $13,000.

Hoel allegedly took a draw of $3,400 for exterior work that was not done. A draw was made for decking material although the deck wasn’t built. Over $6,000 was drawn from the construction loan for roofing, but only half the roof was constructed, resulting in water damage from rain.

A draw of $3,925 was made for seven doors, but only three were received.

Money was also drawn for five garage doors, but only four were present when Hoel

was terminated from his job. Hoel allegedly took a draw of $2,320 for landscaping and sidewalks, but neither project was done when Hoel was fired.

Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher set the case for trial March 11. Hoel is at liberty.