Coral Springs man faces charges in multi hundred thousand dollar construction fraud case that left home project incomplete
Coral Springs, Florida – A Coral Springs man has been charged in connection with a multi-year, six-figure construction fraud scheme, officials said, after authorities allege he diverted large sums of money meant for a home-building project for his own personal use.
Eric Mills, 47, surrendered voluntarily at the Broward County Main Jail around 7:46 p.m. on March 30 following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest. He faces a grand theft charge exceeding $100,000 tied to a failed construction project that began in 2020. According to court records and a probable cause affidavit, Mills is accused of misusing construction loan funds intended for a home built under contracts facilitated by a network of companies he was associated with, including VDG Construction, VDG Engineering, and Virtual Design Group.
The investigation revealed that the project received seven construction draw payments totaling approximately $1.19 million between December 2020 and March 2022. Authorities allege that instead of using the money to fund the home’s construction, Mills siphoned off significant amounts for personal expenses. Of the total funds, the affidavit states that roughly 47 percent—about $560,910—went toward construction-related payments, while over 20 percent, totaling $240,348, directly benefited Mills through transfers to personal accounts, cash withdrawals, and other expenses unrelated to the project.
Investigators noted a pattern of rapid financial transfers designed to obscure the origin and ownership of the funds. In one instance, following a $255,000 construction draw, large portions of the money were quickly shuffled through multiple accounts tied to Mills, sometimes within 24 hours. Officials say these transactions made it difficult to track the flow of funds and contributed to the project’s ultimate failure.
“The allegation is that funds intended to build a home were misdirected for personal gain, leaving the project incomplete,” said one law enforcement official familiar with the case. While the full details of how the remaining funds were used are still under review, authorities say the scheme represents a sophisticated effort to divert construction loan money for individual benefit.
Mills’ arrest warrant was issued by a Broward County judge on March 24, but rather than being apprehended in the field, Mills chose to surrender voluntarily. Following his arrest, he was released on bond and is now awaiting further proceedings in the Broward County court system.
The case has drawn attention due to the scale of the alleged fraud and the alleged misuse of construction funds. According to the affidavit, Mills’ actions not only caused financial losses to lenders but also prevented the completion of the home project, leaving contractors, subcontractors, and potentially future homeowners impacted.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation was the result of a years-long effort to trace the flow of funds and verify discrepancies in the financial records of the construction project. “This was not a one-time mistake or miscalculation. The pattern of transactions shows repeated diversions of money for personal use,” the affidavit noted.
As the legal process continues, Mills faces serious repercussions if convicted, including potential restitution and penalties for grand theft exceeding $100,000. The case highlights ongoing concerns about oversight in construction financing and the responsibilities of individuals managing large-scale projects funded by loans.
Mills’ attorney has not commented publicly on the charges. Meanwhile, officials urge contractors and lenders to remain vigilant in tracking construction funds and ensuring that disbursements are used as intended to prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
This case serves as a reminder of the financial risks associated with large construction projects and the importance of strict adherence to contractual and fiduciary obligations. As of now, the community awaits further developments as the courts review the charges and evidence presented against Mills.
