Israeli contractor in the US: half a million dollars missing, customers demand answers
A bankruptcy hearing for contractor Gilad Rubinsky turned into a confrontation with dozens of angry customers and former employees. Allegations suggest that funds collected for unperformed work were spent on gambling.
According to Yahoo, Israeli national Gilad Rubinsky, a roofing contractor who filed for bankruptcy, has found himself at the center of a contentious legal proceeding. During a bankruptcy hearing held via Zoom, Rubinsky faced dozens of angry customers and former employees who claim he caused them significant financial harm.
The primary allegation against him involves the collection of approximately half a million dollars for roofing projects that were never completed. Many believe these funds were lost at poker tables, where Rubinsky reportedly spent significant time and earned the nickname "Grumpy" among fellow players.
Under oath during the hearing, Rubinsky dismissed the customers' complaints and refused to accept personal responsibility, claiming he is a "victim of circumstances." However, he acknowledged his gambling habits, testifying that he played poker three to four times a week.
"I played poker for many years, some of it with my own money... I won a lot," he claimed.
Nonetheless, Rubinsky admitted to withdrawing money from the company's coffers to fund his gambling and pay his personal rent, while asserting that he often reinvested his poker winnings back into the business.
The case also highlights internal company failures. Robin Southern, Rubinsky's financial manager, stated that she trusted him and invested her own money into the company without a formal contract. She claims he still owes her unpaid wages and funds for a roof he never replaced, noting that he fired her after she demanded payment guarantees.
This situation is exacerbated by a lack of oversight: Texas is the only state in the Gulf Coast region that does not require licensing or registration for roofing contractors and home builders, leaving consumers largely unprotected.
Without government intervention, customers were forced to conduct their own investigative work. Alvaro Lao Camarna, one of the victims from Euless, created a database to locate other affected individuals. The mounting pressure led the Texas Attorney General's office to file a lawsuit against Rubinsky. Victims noted they are also working with the Euless police and the FBI, both of which have declined to comment. Meanwhile, Rubinsky maintains his stance that he is a victim of circumstances, while the whereabouts of the half a million dollars remain unanswered.
