Created: 5/18/2006 6:22:40 PM 
By Ken Amaro First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- David Staten is puzzled. "I don't know what he did, I don't know." says Staten.
Staten hired Jacksonville's Southeastern Structural Engineers to lift the foundation of his settling home.
Pointing to the lumber a company employee left under his home, Staten says, "those are the pieces of wood he brought and he didn't use."
On March 14th, the company signed a contract with the Statens for $4500 to level the floors. Lavale Paulin is the President of the company.
"He seemed honest, we trusted him," says Jeanne Staten.
But the business deal was off to a rocky start.
A month after signing the agreement and receiving a $2250.00 deposit, only one person showed up at the Statens to raise the foundation.
And he wasn't there long.
"He worked for 4 hours and 26 minutes, I documented everything," says Jeanne Staten.
The Statens spoke with Company President Paulin and he promised to return and build concrete footings.
The Statens say the last time they talked with Paulin was April 24th, now he won't return their calls.
"I'm not giving him my money, he has to be stopped." says Jeanne Staten.
The Statens are living on a fixed income and can't afford to give up their savings without a fight. The Statens are suing Lavale Paulin and his company in Small Claims Court.
A check of various State and Local agencies reveal that Paulin does not have a license to do business and last year he dissolved his corporation.
©2010 First Coast News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.
