Kingsley, Mich. —
A Northern Michigan contractor fraud case that first surfaced earlier this year is rapidly expanding, with new charges, additional counties involved, and investigators warning more victims may still come forward.
Travis Reimer, a 55-year-old Kingsley contractor, is now facing multiple felony counts across at least two counties, with a third county case pending, in what authorities describe as a long-running pattern of alleged financial misconduct tied to residential construction projects.
Expanding case brings new charges
The most significant recent development came on April 7, when prosecutors in Grand Traverse County authorized four new felony charges against Reimer. The charges accuse him of fraudulent use of building contract funds, a serious offense under Michigan law.
Reimer turned himself in the same day at the Grand Traverse County Jail, where he was arraigned and later released on bond.
These new counts add to two earlier felony charges filed in Benzie County in January, bringing the total to at least six charges so far.
Court records also show an additional charge pending in Leelanau County, with an arraignment scheduled for mid-April—further expanding the geographic scope of the case.
Allegations span nearly a decade
According to Michigan State Police, the investigation began in October 2024 after complaints from homeowners.
Authorities allege that between 2017 and 2026, Reimer collected more than $400,000 from homeowners across Northern Michigan for home additions and construction projects.
Investigators say that while some subcontractors performed work on those projects, Reimer allegedly:
- Failed to pay those subcontractors
- Diverted funds intended for construction
- Used the money for personal expenses
Projects tied to the case span multiple counties, including Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Antrim, suggesting the alleged activity was not isolated to a single community.
From initial arrest to multi-county case
The case first became public in late January, when Reimer was arrested and arraigned in Benzie County on two felony counts related to contractor fraud.
At that time, investigators had already identified a pattern of complaints involving unfinished work, unpaid subcontractors, and missing funds.
Since then, the case has steadily grown. The addition of new charges in Grand Traverse County—and the pending case in Leelanau County—signals that prosecutors are continuing to build out what is now clearly a regional investigation.
Ongoing investigation and potential victims
Michigan State Police say the investigation is still active, and they believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Authorities are encouraging anyone who may have had dealings with the contractor during the time period in question to contact the MSP Traverse City Post.
The breadth of the alleged activity—both in terms of time span (nearly a decade) and geographic reach (multiple counties)—suggests the case could continue to expand as more information emerges.
What comes next in court
Several key court dates are approaching as the legal process unfolds:
- April 14: Arraignment in Leelanau County (pending charge)
- April 21: Probable cause conference in Grand Traverse County
- May 21: Preliminary exam in Benzie County for the original charges
These hearings will determine whether there is enough evidence for the cases to proceed toward trial.
Broader implications
Cases like this highlight a recurring issue in the construction industry, where homeowners often pay large upfront sums for projects that can stretch over months or years. When funds are misused, the financial and emotional toll can be significant—impacting not only homeowners, but also subcontractors who may go unpaid.
In this instance, investigators say some subcontractors completed work but were never compensated, adding another layer of alleged harm beyond the homeowners themselves.
Bottom line
What began as a two-count fraud case in Benzie County has quickly evolved into a multi-county investigation involving at least six felony charges and potentially more to come.
With additional court dates scheduled and investigators continuing to seek possible victims, the Kingsley contractor case remains an active and developing story across Northern Michigan.
