Unlicensed plumber pleads not guilty; more complaints filed

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The unlicensed plumber reported by WAVE convenience stores pleaded not guilty to six criminal cases against him in Jefferson County on Friday.

Robert Ashcraft faces charges of theft by deception and plumbing without a license and faces other legal issues.

Ashcraft was arrested Jan. 21 in a new Bullitt County robbery case.

A customer from Georgia also filed a complaint with Kentucky.

In a third of Courtroom 301, Robbie Ashcraft’s angry patrons watched his response to six criminal cases in Jefferson County.

“Absolutely your honor, waive formalities, enter a plea of ​​not guilty,” said Ashcraft attorney Ken Lampe.

Judge Katie King also laid down a ground rule.

“He understands he shouldn’t work without a permit,” King said.

“Absolutely,” Lamp replied.

WAVE Troubleshooters revealed Ashcraft’s lack of a plumbing license and criminal past in December.

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• New charges against unlicensed plumber revealed by convenience stores
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“I told him I had a bathroom I needed for my AirBNB,” Lynna Karanutsos said.

She said she met Ashcraft at a grocery store where she lives in Brunswick, Georgia. She said Ashcraft told her he was a master plumber and worked for Chick-fil-A.

“He told me he was here doing all their new bathroom and kitchen installations, three new restaurants opening,” Karanutsos said.

He gave her a copy of his business registration for Ashcraft Contracting, LLC. The Kentucky Secretary of State’s office dissolved this company in 2018.

When Karanutsos checked with Georgia plumbing officials, they said Ashcraft wasn’t allowed there either. Then a friend sent him a link to the WAVE stories.

“He texted me saying everything’s off, all my work is off, he’s bringing all my money back and he wants all my coins,” Karanutsos said.

She said Ashcraft was supposed to refund her money last weekend. She was unaware that he was arrested Jan. 21 in Shelby County for larceny by Bullitt County deception charges. So no refund.

That’s why Eric Shipp, who owes $1,700, said outside the courtroom on Friday to forget the money.

“He keeps doing it, scamming people over and over and over again, and it’s unfair; it’s not about the money now, it’s about him being behind bars,” Shipp said.

Ashcraft will return to a Louisville courtroom on March 3. He is also due in Bullitt County on March 17.

Karanutsos said she is now speaking with Georgian authorities.

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