A 56-year old Manchester man was arrested Thursday by Bremer County sheriff’s deputies as a result of a 2022 investigation. Randy Less has been charged with 1st degree theft and forgery. Officials say that the owners of a Sumner residence reported issues with the general contractor, Randy Less, not paying subcontractors and material suppliers after he reportedly had been paid for nearly all of the contracted amount. Investigators discovered Less was also managing a residential build in Waverly that was experiencing the same issues. In total, over 12 subcontractors either did not receive payment or only received partial payment from Less. Officials say that documents that Less provided to Fidelity Bank and Trust were also shown to be altered to reflect inaccurate dollar amounts. Over $150,000 that was paid to Less is allegedly unaccounted for. Less was released on a $15,000 dollar bond. First degree theft is a class C felony and carries up to a maximum 10-year prison sentence. The forgery is an aggravated misdemeanor.
