CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Jennifer and Michael Jones’ home now hides the scars of the 2020 foreclosure.

They first hired Luxury Kitchens LLC to repair some of the damage, since their friend, Ryan Avila-Burillo, owned it.

“We were like everyone else during the downturn; just looking for someone to help us. So Ryan volunteered and we thought we had a friend in the industry who could help us, who we could trust,” said Michael Jones.

Jones says Ryan replaced the windows and flooring. But they say the work was sketchy at best.

Several windows were not sealed, allowing water to enter and damage walls.

The tiles on the kitchen floor, they say, were not flat.

When they asked for a refund, Avila-Burillo shut down their business.

The Joneses said they lost about $14,000 — too much for small claims court, but too little to make it worth hiring a lawyer.

“It was an amount too large for small claims court and far too small to actually have lawyers present and litigate in normal court.” Michael said.

The Joneses became more upset when I told them what we found in the court records – a history of fraud and unpaid debts.

Iowa court records show Green State Credit Union is going after Ryan and Luxury Kitchens for more than $600 in overdraft fees.

A court official tried to serve Ryan, tried six times to look for him at their home or at the Chophouse, but was unsuccessful, finally concluding, “it is clear that the defendant is intentionally avoiding service.”

Ryan’s husband, Joseph, was convicted at least five times in California of burglary and shoplifting.

The most recent conviction in 2014 – Joseph and a partner manufactured their own credit cards and used them to make dozens of purchases. Court records show he still owes about $4,500 in fees and restitution, but stopped making payments in March 2021.

In Iowa, Citibank also sued Joseph this year for failing to pay more than $8,000 on a Best Buy credit card.

Now seeing what has happened to former Chophouse workers who haven’t been paid, Jones worries the couple is taking advantage of more Iowans.

“He told me ‘Wow, Iowans are so nice,’ that has stuck with me … it makes you feel like you’re a target.” Jennifer and Michael said.

Property records also show the Avila-Burillos sold their Cedar Rapids home just weeks before they closed Chophouse Downtown, for $310,000. That’s $130,000 more than they bought it for just six years ago,

A TV9 Reporter was able to reach Ryan Avila-Burillo on Thursday, when he declined to talk about his unpaid former employees.

The same reporter tried again on Friday to talk to Ryan and Joseph, but they have not returned any calls.

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