Hearing packet.docx

2025A-03296-CHC-ROC · Registrar of Contractors · 2025-07-18

Exhibit 1

Disclosure Statement of Marianne and Leonard David Dodge

We will show that Nate Shelton abandoned our project, did substandard work on the portion he did complete and operates in a fraudulent manner. We intend to show this by the facts; that he sold or attempted to sell our custom door and panels/materials on Facebook marketplace, that he fostered a hostile environment by repeatedly ignoring our texts and phone calls, refusing to give us any kind of work schedule, raising his voice to a level that is unprofessional for a licensed contractor anytime we asked a question or had a concern, our current contractors had to redo parts of his work, and he has left other jobs undone in his wake which others have had to complete after the fact.

We met Nate in beginning of September, as we were looking to get our container structure built. He told us that once he got all the materials, it would take about a week to erect. He said his company, The Shelton Brothers, Inc., was about two months away from starting new work. We were fine with that. The plan was to have it completed before the Dec holidays. We signed the contract in October and paid $15,000 in a check on October 16th.

The contract did not contain an end date, which we later found out was not lawful in a contract. Nate is the one that checked the "no completion date box" in the contract.

On Nov 5 he said it would be a Dec build date. He first came out to do some work on Nov 26

As the weeks began to pass, very little progress was made. During those weeks Nate would use one excuse after another as to why he would not be coming out to work. His equipment went down, his crew had the flu, he had to go to the ER, and the weather was not good enough.

We sent him a series of messages telling him we wanted dates and a schedule for when the work would be completed. He did not ever comply with this request.

Every day I had to text him to see if he was coming so that I could pen my dogs and animals. Many times I never got a response from him. Every excuse in the book used to not work on the project.

We received a mechanic's lien in the mail and thought it was for us. We called the man on the lien thinking he was a lawyer, as we had never received one of those before. It turns out the man was another unhappy customer of Nate's who was having problems with him showing up and finishing his job as well. We sent him the lien which was his. It was unprofessional to send us someone else's paperwork. I told him it made me wonder if he sent someone else our paperwork. He was upset with us for calling this customer. We eventually received a lien for our property as well, but we later found that the parcels were wrong.

On the last day that Nate actually showed up to work at our property, we asked him if there was any flashing that would fill a gap between the short wall on top of the container and also asked to be sure he intended to weld the gussets, which we previously discussed. We asked this question because there was no indication that this was going to be done. He and his brother Sam were there but had not done any welding at all that day. We did not want our structure to fall down and he did nothing to reassure us. In fact, this is when he got right in our faces and started yelling saying that it was not his job to educate us. He yelled that we needed him because we did not know how to put up a metal building and he did. His behavior became very erratic and out of control. He kept saying that he would be finished in the next day or two and expected full payment. We never had an issue paying but did not plan to pay until the entire job was done, as stated in the contract. I stood in front of him and told him that this entire time I have had to ask him if he would be showing up to work and would he be returning tomorrow. He started yelling and storming around. Due to his erratic behavior and loud verbal swearing, we called the police. We felt unsafe having him on our property. He was acting very out of control. The police arrived and took a report. Nate ended up saying he was going to leave and think about things. We did not want him to come onto our property without our permission. He was unreliable when he said he would show up he did not. When he did show up, he was out of control. We felt unsafe. This prompted us to file a complaint.

One of Nate's employee's Johnny Brooks, contacted us to see what happened, as he heard from Nate that things did not go well at our property. Johnny proceeded to tell us that this has happened many times and that Johnny has had to finish jobs that Nate had abandoned. He also confirmed that Nate has had trouble with his temper and with speaking to customers in a rude way.

When we saw that Nate had our materials up for sale on Facebook Marketplace, I commented on the post. Instead of finishing our job, he was willing to sell our materials.

Roger Shear, another former customer of Nate's contacted us as he is in the same situation, with an abandoned project and he is also out a lot of money. He is willing to attend this hearing and to provide a statement to help the AZ ROC see that Nate Shelton should not have a contractor's license and defraud any other people. Knowing that there are three customers of his who have been defrauded should be compelling.

Nate Shelton has definitely abandoned our project and has not completed the portion he worked on in a satisfactory way. He has acted in an unprofessional manner and represented Arizona Contractors in a very bad light. He should not be allowed to continue to operate as a contractor in the State of Arizona or anywhere else, as he is unreliable, he does not complete his work, his customer service is lacking, and his behavior is erratic. We feel that he has committed fraud by taking our money and not delivering a finished product, not to mention selling our materials to a third-party using Facebook Marketplace.

We certify that the above information is true and correct and that we will serve a copy of this disclosure statement and any exhibits listed in Part 2 to all parties to the hearing in accordance with A.A.C R4-9-118.

Marianne and Leonard David Dodge

July 17, 2025

Exhibit 1A Examples of Communication with Nate Shelton

Exhibit 2

Statement from Roger Shear

We contracted with Nate Shelton and Shelton Brothers back on or around October 30th, 2024 and at the same time providing a deposit of $20,000. With an original completion estimate of January, we rushed to order windows that sit in our garage still since the December 26th delivery date. After several delays and missed deadlines, we finally received concrete on March 19th, 2025. Unfortunately if the project is reviewed, highlighted would be the scribble line “relief” cuts in the concrete and sections of inconsistent and unfinished concrete.

Prior to the pouring of the concrete, the “tariff” pressure was put on in mid February. The “Due to the impending tariffs on steel...” came despite the contract stating that the second payment was not due until the concrete pour. Due to the multiple delays and nobody showing up on days they were expected, we were pushed up against a false deadline and provided another $20,000 check. Was also informed last minute that we were responsible for finding a plumber which was fine other than it was unplanned and the rush was on to complete. Mid March, we received another call where we found out that the steel still had not been ordered and we got the “steel is increasing and out of my control” call along with some add on pricing for soffits which we were under the impression were included contractually. At this time, I finally pushed back stating that we gave them a check 4 weeks ago, price increases should be their issue while agreeing to some added costs for soffits and an integrated gutter.

Steel was delivered in mid April and on the morning of April 23rd, the delivered steel was removed from their trailer which was on site and shortly thereafter we received a call. We were informed that he (Nate) laid off all of their employees and would not be able to complete our job. The explanation given was that the Dragoon Project (Dodge Project) had not made final payment which put his company in danger therefor unable to complete the project.

To date, we have never received plans despite numerous requests. We have received general sketches, but plans look to have never been developed despite verbal confirmation that these would be provided upon notice of inability to complete the project. To date, we have an estimated $15,000 worth of concrete and an estimated $10,000 worth of steel. When asked for a summary of what my $40,000 went to, there are 80 hours of dirt work and equipment rentals that account for over $10,000 of non contracted work or rentals. As we sit today, we have no contractor, no plans, and maybe 60% of the steel needed for an under-engineered building as per current contractor quotes and out of easily $10,000-$15,000.

Exhibit 3

Statement Regarding My Time with Shelton Brothers Inc.

My name is John Brooks and I am a former employee of Shelton Brothers Inc. I feel it is important to share my experience and perspective, especially regarding the conduct of Mr. Nate Shelton, the owner of the company.

When I initially began working with Shelton Brothers Inc., I did so under the clear impression that I would be brought on as a co-owner alongside Nate Shelton and his brother, Sam Shelton. This understanding was based on conversations and representations made directly by Nate himself. I agreed to contribute my time, knowledge, and labor in good faith, believing I was helping build a business in which I would have shared ownership and a vested interest.

However, it became increasingly clear over time that this was not the case. I was not treated as a partner, nor was I compensated fairly for the work I performed.

Instead, it became evident that I was being used as cheap labor-relied upon heavily because of my extensive knowledge and experience in the steel industry, as well as because of my personal friendship with Nate. At no point did I ever agree to work without payment, and I did not consent to being strung along under false pretenses.

In the course of my time at the company, I also witnessed behavior from Mr.

Shelton that I found concerning and, frankly, unethical. Prior to any known conflict with Mr. Dodge, Nate made several comments in passing that suggested malicious intent. He expressed a desire to "screw Mr. Dodge over" and even mentioned plans to file for bankruptcy and "disappear." These comments were deeply troubling at the time and are even more so now in light of recent events.

Since then, I am aware that Mr. Shelton has abandoned at least three other projects, leaving clients who had paid substantial deposits without work completed. These actions reflect a troubling pattern of behavior that I believe should be brought to light, especially for the sake of any current or future individuals considering doing business with him.

I share this statement to make my position clear and to stand in support of those who may have been misled or harmed by similar conduct.

Sincerely, John Brooks

6.21.25