A LaSalle man who was accused by at least a dozen West Island residents of performing poor renovation work, often unfinished, and without a valid licence, is now facing criminal charges. Eric Arella is facing two counts of fraud against his neighbours, Michel and Andre Paquette, who hired him in 2024 to build a new kitchen in their duplex. Andre Paquette and his son Michel told CTV News that Arella started doing the demolition job of their old kitchen, but that work slowed to a halt within days. The contractor, who operates under the name E.A. Construction, talked the two into giving larger and larger deposits to purchase windows and kitchen cabinets. But the two soon discovered that they were given receipts for equipment that was never purchased in the first place. Police initially told them they had to consult a lawyer, because it was a contractual dispute, but re-examined the case after Andre Paquette provided a large paper trail suggesting criminal intent. His son Michel said he initially trusted Arella because he lived on the same street. “He looks like a very honest person. He has a very good way of inspiring trust,” he said. Last year, CTV News did an extensive investigation into the business dealings of Arella and E.A. Construction. At the time, the Regie du Batiment, Quebec’s construction regulator, confirmed the company was operating without a permit. Several people told CTV News they felt Arella performed sub-par work that was never finished, and collected thousands of dollars in deposits. Daniel Foster and Jenna Adoluca said they remain without the finished basement they were promised two years ago. “We’ve been living in construction for the past two years, basically. And we have a new baby and we try and try and do things here and there, but with work and the baby and stuff, it’s difficult,” said Foster. Many of Arella’s customers have sued him in small claims court, but were unable to collect. CTV News once again attempted to contact Arella without success. His former clients say they don’t expect their money back, but they want to ensure potential customers know about their experiences. “If at least he we can get this person to stop ripping people off because he’s done it time and time again. At least it will have served the purpose,” Michel Paquette said. The rule of thumb, according to Quebec’s consumer protection agency, is to make the smallest possible deposit up front when hiring a contractor.
