Marina
In McPherson County, Kansas, a home-building project that promised peace and a dream retirement turned into a nightmare of structural defects and alleged financial misconduct.
The builder in question, Jason Ryan Stucky, age 45 of Valley Center, is now facing both criminal and civil proceedings for the alleged misuse of company funds and misappropriation at his company, Cornerstone Construction Group LLC.
Clients describe the houses as “practically new,” built just a couple of years ago, yet plagued by serious construction issues:
- Huge cracks in every room
- Large gaps between baseboards and flooring
- Kitchen cabinets pulling away from the walls
- Vanity granite coming apart
- A garage door so stuck the handle was ripped during a lawyer’s walk-through
According to legal filings and notice documents, the misappropriated funds are estimated at nearly $1 million.
Key Facts & Figures
Below is a table summarizing crucial details of the case:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name of Defendant | Jason Ryan Stucky |
| Age & Residence | 45 years old, Valley Center, Kansas |
| Company | Cornerstone Construction Group LLC (among others) |
| Location of Builds | McPherson County, Kansas |
| Amount Allegedly Misused | Nearly US$1 million |
| Charges | Criminal and civil claims: misappropriation, conversion of company assets |
| Legal Actions | Temporary restraining order preventing access to assets; civil suit filed |
| Potential Penalty | Up to 136 months in prison per charge, fines up to US$300,000 plus post-release supervision |
| Bond | $25,000 bond currently released on |
The Homebuyers’ Experience
Homeowners like Mark Fraser and Debbie Brooks hired the builder with high hopes. They bought two adjacent plots and contracted Cornerstone Construction to build newer homes in McPherson.
The builder projected trustworthy values — he was involved in the local church and appeared as a responsible Christian businessman. According to the buyers:
“You started seeing huge cracks in every room … the kitchen cabinets started to pull away … the vanity granite just started coming apart …”
What began as Sunday-service trust turned into repeated phone calls, walk-throughs, legal consultations and a civil complaint. The homeowners believe corners were cut, materials sub-par, structural standards ignored.
Legal Proceedings & Allegations
Court documents show that Stucky, along with possibly others (including a Shea Stucky) is alleged to have breached fiduciary duties, misused company funds and assets for personal gain, and diverted resources from Cornerstone’s construction operations.
An order issued April 1 2024 forbids the defendants from accessing the company’s physical assets (job sites, company offices, company trucks) and requires surrender of keys, electronic devices and financial records.
Criminal charges carry serious potential consequences — in one notice the upper limit is specified at 136 months in prison, fines up to US$300,000, plus post-release supervision.
Meanwhile, the civil case is ongoing: the plaintiffs allege the assets and funds diverted should be returned and damages assessed.
The Bigger Picture: Why It Matters
This case highlights key issues in the home-building industry:
- Trust & Reputation: Homeowners rely heavily on trust—builders who present strong credentials (church-involvement, local recommendations) can mask financial mismanagement or structural negligence.
- Construction Quality: Even “drawn and built” homes may come with hidden defects when oversight fails.
- Financial Governance: A building company requires strong internal controls. Allegations here point to breakdowns in asset‐tracking, separation of duties, and oversight.
- Risk to Buyers: People purchasing homes may face double jeopardy: poor construction and corporate misconduct by the builder.
The story of “Cracks in the Foundation” is both literal and metaphorical. Literally, the homes built by Cornerstone Construction are reportedly suffering from structural failings — cracks, pulling cabinets, misfitted doors.
Metaphorically, the foundation of trust between homeowners and builder has cracked, because the company leader stands accused of misusing nearly US$1 million in funds.
With criminal charges and civil lawsuits ongoing, the case serves as a caution to buyers: vet your builder deeply, inspect quality regularly, and seek legal recourse when construction meets corporate misconduct.
The court’s ultimate decision will not only affect Mr Stucky and his company, but also how other home-builders are reviewed and held accountable in Kansas and beyond.