Millersport Carpet Store Owner Indicted For Theft From Customers

LANCASTER – The Fairfield County Grand Jury has indicted the owner of a local carpet store on 21 counts of theft, following an investigation by the offices of Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen and Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro.

William J. BurtWilliam J. Burt, 35, owned and operated Millersport Carpeting (also known as Carpet Warehouse) at 12450 Lancaster St. in Millersport until it closed in November 2004. According to investigators, Burt regularly accepted checks from customers and immediately deposited them in his personal account without delivering the purchased product. Investigators said he diverted at least $35,000 for his personal use.

“Mr. Burt effectively pulled the rug from under his customers’ feet,” said Petro, whose Child & Elder Protection Section assisted local investigators. “This is why it is so important to take your time, check references and do some research before making a major purchase.”

The theft charges against Burt include two fourth-degree felonies, 16 fifth-degree felonies and three first-degree misdemeanors.

“These types of business practices are unacceptable in Fairfield County, Ohio,” Fairfield County Prosecutor David L. Landefeld said.