Contractor Couple Defrauded 40 Texas Families

A Fort Worth contractor couple, Christopher and Raquelle Judge, have pleaded guilty to orchestrating a devastating fraud scheme, defrauding over 40 Texas families out of nearly $5 million. The couple used social media to lure unsuspecting victims with promises of custom-built, multi-generational homes, only to leave the projects unfinished and unsafe. Federal prosecutors confirmed the Judges diverted client funds to fuel a lavish personal lifestyle, including luxury purchases and plastic surgery, while their victims faced financial ruin and bankruptcy.

Story Highlights

Christopher and Raquelle Judge used social media to lure victims with false promises and low bids.
Over 40 North Texas families lost $200,000 to $364,000 each in unfinished home projects.
Couple spent client funds on personal luxuries including plastic surgery and tuition payments.
Christopher Judge falsely claimed to be a licensed architect despite regulatory warnings.

Social Media Deception Targets Homeowners

Christopher and Raquelle Judge operated Judge DFW LLC as a Fort Worth-based construction company, using social media platforms to attract unsuspecting homeowners with promises of custom builds and renovations. The couple marketed themselves with artificially low bids and unrealistic timelines of four to six months, deliberately targeting families seeking multi-generational homes and major renovations. Their social media presence mimicked popular home improvement shows, creating false credibility that would ultimately trap over 40 North Texas families in a devastating fraud scheme.

Construction attorney Joe Tolbert noted that customers must verify contractor credentials and understand how their money is being used. The Judges exploited this trust gap, with Christopher falsely presenting himself as a licensed architect despite receiving an official warning from the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners in May 2022 for violating professional codes.

They say the couple came off as credible, with legit construction and remodeling videos posted across social media. It turned out to be a large-scale scam with dozens of victims. https://t.co/W8s3psBoV6

— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) January 3, 2026

Massive Financial Losses Devastate Families

Victims paid substantial sums ranging from $200,000 to $364,000 for projects that were abandoned or left in dangerously unsafe conditions. The Congleton family paid $250,000 and ended up living in a camper for 18 months while their home remained unfinished. Multiple families, including the Bish and Simmons households, each lost $200,000 on projects that were deemed unsafe by professional inspectors who called the work “the worst job” they had ever seen.

Rather than completing contracted work, the Judges diverted client payments to fund their personal lifestyle expenses. Federal prosecutors confirmed the couple used the fraudulently obtained funds for rent, mortgage payments, tuition, luxury items, and even plastic surgery. This systematic theft forced several victim families into bankruptcy while the perpetrators enjoyed lavish spending funded entirely by their clients’ dream home investments.

Federal Justice Brings Accountability

Both defendants have now pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, with Raquelle Judge entering her plea in mid-December 2025 and Christopher Judge following in early January 2026. Christopher Judge faces up to 20 years in federal prison for his role as the primary orchestrator of the scheme. The case escalated to federal prosecution after Euless Police Detective Brian Brennan pursued criminal charges when other authorities initially dismissed victim complaints as civil matters.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas confirmed the scope of the fraud through official court documents, validating victim claims of systematic deception. This case demonstrates the importance of thorough contractor verification and serves as a warning about the risks of social media marketing in the construction industry, where proper licensing and credential checks remain crucial for consumer protection.

Watch the report: Dozens claim DFW couple took payments for “dream homes” that never materialized