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Colorado Springs firefighter accused of stealing nearly $200k through construction company

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EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The owner of Fortified Solutions, a Colorado Springs firefighter, faces theft charges totaling nearly $200,000 after numerous families reported incomplete projects.

According to an arrest affidavit, Jared Whiteman and his wife Jamy Whiteman didn't hold their customers' funds in trust for payment, over-invoiced their customers for work, took down payments for projects, didn't complete any work, and did not refund the customer. The affidavit says those things are considered theft.

According to Fortified Solution's website, the business is a "full-service construction company in Colorado Springs." The firm "assists both the residential and commercial clients in fulfilling their home construction and remodeling needs anywhere in Colorado."

The website goes on to say the Whiteman's "have more than 20 years of combined experience in the construction industry."

Court documents say the El Paso County Sheriff's Office received theft reports from six families. Investigators determined the total theft amount from the families is $197,690.45.

Below is a breakdown of the estimated theft for each family:

  1. $41,422.23
  2. $27,717.45
  3. $27,329.77
  4. $78,412.38
  5. $13,940.37
  6. $20,471.85

Additionally, the affidavit said 20 business entities were victims of Whiteman's.

The affidavit states the amount of theft was calculated after reviewing customers' contracts, payments, copies of invoices, and copies of communication. As well as Fortified Solutions' copies of contracts, invoices, communication, bank records, and subcontractors' or suppliers' copies of invoices and statements.

According to court documents, all of the employees and customers interviewed said Whiteman "routinely advertised himself as an honest businessman because he is a firefighter employed by the Colorado Springs Fire Department and because he is a Christian."

The affidavit goes on to say, "they trusted him with their salaries and down payments and ended up with nothing to show for it. Both his employees and his customers, whether victims of theft or not, have reported being cheated and lied to by Mr. Whiteman."

Whiteman turned himself in at the El Paso County Jail on June 28, 2022. He was booked into jail for Theft ($100k-$Million), a class 3 felony.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department confirmed Whiteman is still employed by the CSFD and is currently on paid administrative leave. He's been with the department since 2017.

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Shelby Filangi

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Spencer Soicher

Spencer is the weekend evening anchor, and a reporter for KRDO. Learn more about him here.

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