Builder fraud case heads to trial

Daniel Siefka

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

LUDINGTON — The case against a 34-year-old Grant Township builder facing felony charges of fraudulent use of building contract funds is headed to trial. 

Daniel James Siefka appeared with his attorney, Matthew Borgula, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Sept. 3, for a plea hearing. However, Siefka did not enter a plea. 

“An effort was made to resolve the case, but it’s complex because it involves three separate counties,” said attorney Borgula.

“Mr Siefka had agreed to pay full restitution at the time of his plea, and he made an effort to do that but was unable to do so.” The attorney said the source of the funds for the restitution is a friend of the family.

Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand said the total amount owed by Siefka in Mason County is approximately $400,000 for allegedly defrauding two couples. Siefka also faces charges in Muskegon County, and his case in Antrim County was dismissed, Hand said. She expects the Mason County trial to last a week as “numerous witnesses” will be called to the stand.

If he had paid the full restitution to his victims, he could have avoided a prison term for a criminal enterprise charge as a joint prosecution venture between the counties. He is free on bond.

“Three groups have civil judgments against him for similar activity,” said Prosecutor Hand. 

Siefka owns Legacy Building Group, LLC of 62 W. Freeman Road. He also owned the business names of Hot Shot Builders LLC and Beyond the Call Contracting, LLC. 

He is accused of defrauding a Ludington couple of $184,884 after they hired him to renovate their home. A Ludington Police Department report stated that Siefka placed a lien on the victims’ house at Carter Lumber of Amber Township. He did not pay the lumber company $28,113.87, which the victims ended up paying.

According to an article in the Manistee News Advocate published in September of 2023, a group of eight people, from various northern Michigan towns, were interviewed about their experiences with Siefka and his wife Lydia Siefka. Kelly Newell, of Gaylord, who was part of the group interviewed, stated that since contacting victims of the Siekas, she had heard from people from Manistee, Antrim, Grand Traverse, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Otsego and Wexford counties.

The couple had been living in Colorado. According to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, Daniel Siefka was arrested on charges in Colorado; posted bond; and then returned to Mason County where he turned himself in.

An Oceana County couple sued Siefka in a civil case, and he was ordered to pay $882,506. In Manistee County, Siefka and his company were ordered to pay a plaintiff $166,403.55.

The civil cases filed against the Siefkas involve fraud, forfeiture of land contracts and evictions. They have been sued by Standard Lumber and Zeeland Lumber and Supply.

A trial date has not been scheduled.

Editor-in-Chief Rob Alway contributed to this report

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