> At a Glance
> – Christopher and Raquelle Judge admitted to defrauding 40+ homeowners of $5 million
> – Victim Kristin Newman paid $60K twice and still has no livable home
> – Couple faces up to 20 years in prison; sentencing later this year
> – Why it matters: Fraudulent contractors can leave families bankrupt and homeless
A Fort Worth attorney who dreamed of building her first home is now living with her parents after a flashy renovation duo vanished with her money, leaving behind a half-finished house riddled with defects.
The Promising Start
Kristin Newman met Christopher Judge and Raquelle Judge in summer 2021. The couple pitched custom architecture and interior-design services at below-market prices for her Craftsman-style bungalow.
Newman chose their company, Judge DFW LLC, after four other builders felt “fuddy-duddy.”
Contract signed: October 2021
Ground broken: January 2022
Payments Gone Wrong
- $10,000 deposit on signing
- Draw-schedule installments for materials like a $30,000 window package
- Invoices for work that never materialized
Christopher later demanded a $60,000 payment. Newman complied-then discovered she had already paid that invoice. When she asked for the refund, he replied, “I already spent it.”
Where the Money Went
Court filings show the Judges spent homeowner funds on:
- $27,000 toward their own mortgage
- $82,000 on Amazon purchases
- $10,000 on plastic surgery
Newman hired an inspector who produced a 100-page report cataloging construction failures. Christopher grew evasive, then ghosted her entirely.
Guilty Pleas and Fallout
U.S. Attorney’s Office says the couple admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud from August 2020 to January 2023.
- Raquelle pleaded guilty December 30; faces up to 5 years
- Christopher faces up to 20 years
Victims have lost retirement funds, filed for bankruptcy, and even divorced under the strain, Newman says.
Key Takeaways
- Always verify contractor licensing and references
- Tie payments to verified project milestones
- Secure inspections before releasing large sums
- Maintain written records of all requests and responses
Newman is now selling the unfinished house to pay off subcontractors, her savings wiped out by the scam she calls “the easy way out” for its perpetrators.
