Avalon Homes CEO never planned to hurt anyone
In his first public comments, the attorney for a former home builder who is accused of defrauding several North Port families said Joseph Pufta never planned to hurt anyone and was himself a victim of the downturn in the real estate market.
“It was a business slowdown and a market turndown that led to his difficulties,” said Henry Lee, a Sarasota attorney who is representing the 62-year-old former executive of Avalon Homes.
Lee said Pufta was waiting for new home sales to generate the cash he needed to continue work on the 50 homes the company eventually abandoned before packing up its offices.
Lee has entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of Pufta, who is charged with 20 counts of misapplication of construction funds and one count of grand theft, all felonies. Authorities say more charges are pending.