The former owner of Bent Metal Customs on West Third Street in Lansdale has been exonerated on all charges following a two-day bench trial earlier this week at the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.
Justin Brunner, 46, of Holland, was found not guilty on Tuesday on felony charges of theft by deception and deceptive business practices. Brunner, who was initially scheduled for a jury trial, opted instead for a bench trial in front of Judge Thomas Rodgers, which occurred over the two-day period of Aug. 28 and Aug. 29.
Brunner’s business permanently closed prior to charges being filed against him in July 2021.
Investigators with the Pennsylvania State Police Vehicle Fraud Unit were initially contacted by a man on Oct. 16, 2020, claiming that he had found billing irregularities and issues while his vehicles were in the possession of Bent Metal Customs, police said. The victim stated that he had entered into an agreement with Brunner in October 2017 to provide various vehicle repairs and restorations to 14 vehicles from his personal collection, according to the criminal complaint.
The vehicles were described as mostly classic or antique, with agreed upon work ranging from as low as $3,000 to upwards of $35,000, the complaint states. Additionally, the man entered into an agreement to purchase a custom 1965 Ford Mustang that would be built from the ground up, as well as 1965 Chevy Chevelle that had already been built, investigators said.
According to the complaint, the man said that he would incrementally pay Brunner for bills and deposits, and he would be allowed to observe the progress of the work. However, after an argument over the status of one of the vehicles, the man audited the existing invoices and alleged he had been double — and sometimes triple — billed, and he had also been billed for work that was not agreed upon, according to the criminal complaint.
Investigators said the man removed all the vehicles from the shop on Nov. 30, 2019, including the two vehicles he had agreed to purchase. The complaint states that the 1965 Ford Mustang was removed prior to completion, at which point the man discovered it had an “obviously used” engine and the wrong transmission.
In total, the man said he provided $321,612.67 to Brunner for the vehicles, investigators said.
Despite the accusations occurring in Lansdale Borough, the investigation was handled by the Pennsylvania State Police and the prosecution was handled by Bucks County Assistant District Attorney Julia Wilkins, who is cross designated to try cases in both Bucks and Montgomery counties.
Ultimately, prosecutors were unable to meet the burden of proof for the charges, leading to a not guilty verdict on all counts.
“Needless to say, my client is both relieved and elated with the court’s verdict that exonerates him of all the alleged criminal conduct,” said Jay M. Nigrini, Esq., who represented Brunner in his defense. “Judge Rogers placed a significant amount of weight on the numerous witnesses that testified on behalf of Mr. Brunner that established his reputation as an honest business owner for the past 20 years. The outcome of this trial should send a clear message to the community that Mr. Brunner and his business performs high quality work with integrity.”
See also:
Dump Truck Owner Receives Prison Sentence in Death of Pregnant Lansdale Woman
‘You Stole Her Innocence:’ Hatfield Man Sentenced to Prison for Repeated Rape of Young Girl
