Staff photo / Chris McBride John Bartos, left and defense attorney Frank Cassese, right, appear in Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Andrew D. Logan’s court as Bartos awaits sentencing on multiple counts of theft charges.

WARREN — A Boardman home-remodeling contractor tearfully gave an apology to the court and his victims during sentencing for a failure to perform home services for 10 clients in Trumbull County who previously had paid him for work.

John P. Bartos III, 40, of Valley View Drive in Boardman, owner of Gridiron Windows & Doors LLC, was sentenced to five-years of basic probation, which he will serve after spending 120 days in county jail for his conviction of 10 counts of theft.

Bartos changed his plea during an Aug. 30 hearing, when he pleaded guilty to a bill of information listing the fifth-degree felony counts.

The state’s case against Bartos argues that he was contracted with 10 clients to perform home services throughout Trumbull County. After receiving a down payment of between $1,000 and $7,500 from each client, Bartos did not complete the work or did not refund the money, according to the state.

In total, the court said Bartos took $27,460, to be paid back in full as part of sentencing.

A visibly nervous Bartos clutched the sides of the podium as he apologized to the court, the victims and his family.

During his apology, Bartos admitted to having a severe gambling problem two years ago that “just about ruined my life.” Since then, Bartos told the court he’s been seeking counseling to treat his addiction.

“I can make restitution in this case in full tomorrow” he said. “I’m more sorry than you can possibly imagine for anything I’ve done to hurt anybody.”

Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Andrew D. Logan, however, termed Bartos’ behavior as “a course of criminal conduct” because Bartos faces similar charges in other Ohio counties and out of state.

Bartos recently appeared in Columbiana County Court of Common Pleas to plead guilty to three indictments charging him with theft, fifth-degree felonies. A sentencing date in this case was set for Jan. 4, 2024.

In June, a Mahoning County grand jury indicted Bartos on 27 charges of theft and passing bad checks, which were filed in the courts of Boardman, Austintown, Canfield, Sebring and Youngstown leading up the indictment.

Similar to Trumbull County, Bartos and the company in Columbiana and Mahoning counties are accused of accepting payments from customers for work and materials not provided. In one case, an $8,000 payment was accepted.

cmcbride@tribtoday.com