Anson Gallaway of Estate Frydendal was sentenced to five years’ probation for defrauding 12 Virgin Islands families out of more than $650,000 in a prefabricated housing scheme, the Virgin Island Justice Department announced Friday.
Gallaway, 48, pleaded guilty in April to obtaining money by false pretense after failing to deliver contracted homes on St. Thomas and St. Croix between February 2020 and December 2021. On July 21, Superior Court Judge Ernest E. Morris handed down the sentence.
According to DOJ, Gallaway operated under GHL Home Innovations LLC and collected payments ranging from just over $1,000 to more than $150,000, with total losses reaching $656,911.51. Before pleading guilty, he repaid nearly $100,000, and another $120,000 was paid prior to sentencing. He remains responsible for $439,911.51 in restitution.
As part of his probation, Gallaway must pay at least $4,000 each month toward restitution, with funds to be distributed quarterly to victims.
“This defendant exploited the hopes of families seeking affordable housing,” Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea said. “This judgment ensures accountability, begins the process of rebuilding for the victims of these deceptive and corrupt business practices, and sends a clear message that those who exploit our residents for personal gain will be held accountable.”
