Knoxville Man Loses $7,000 After Contractor Disappears

Patrick Goswitz hired Samuel Coleman to remodel a house, but Coleman never completed the work and disappeared with the money.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Knoxville man named Patrick Goswitz hired a contractor named Samuel Coleman to remodel a house, but Coleman took the $7,000 Goswitz paid him and never completed the work. This is not the first time Coleman has scammed customers, as he has a history of taking money from homeowners and failing to finish the jobs he was hired for.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance for homeowners to be cautious when hiring contractors, as there are individuals who will take advantage of unsuspecting customers. It also raises questions about contractor licensing, oversight, and consumer protections in the home repair industry.

The details

Goswitz hired Coleman 11 months ago to paint, do cabinet work, deck repairs, and floor work on a house in Knoxville. Goswitz paid Coleman around $7,000, but Coleman never completed the agreed-upon work. Coleman also scammed another customer, Dan Beebe, out of $2,750 for a shed that was never built. Coleman was previously arrested in 2023 for theft and contractor fraud in a separate case in Sevier County.

  • In May 2023, Coleman was arrested for theft and contractor fraud in Sevier County.
  • In September 2025, Coleman took $2,750 from Dan Beebe to build a shed, but never started the work.
  • In April and May 2026, Coleman promised to provide refunds to Patrick Goswitz, but never followed through.

The players

Patrick Goswitz

A Knoxville homeowner who hired Samuel Coleman to remodel a house, but Coleman took the $7,000 payment and never completed the work.

Samuel Coleman

A contractor from Kodak, Tennessee who has a history of taking money from homeowners for work he does not complete.

Dan Beebe

A homeowner in Niota, Tennessee who paid Coleman $2,750 to build a shed, but Coleman never started the work.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I wanted him to do paint, cabinets, decks, floor work… wanted him to do a basic remodel on a house, fix and flip. When I went to go check on the project, I thought, 'Oh, my gosh. He has not done anything.' He kept saying, 'Oh, don't worry.'”

— Patrick Goswitz, Homeowner

“He's never returned. He's given every excuse in the book.”

— Dan Beebe, Homeowner

What’s next

Coleman is scheduled to appear in court later this month in Sevier County for charges of theft and contractor fraud. A warrant for his arrest has also been filed in Knox County.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for homeowners to thoroughly vet contractors, get all agreements in writing, and closely monitor work progress to avoid being scammed. It also underscores the importance of stronger regulations and enforcement in the home repair industry to protect consumers.