RI “Dream Team” Couple Now Face More Than $600,000 in Judgments and Fines

RI “Dream Team” Couple Now Face More Than $600,000 in Judgments and Fines

The couple who marketed their design, remodeling, and construction businesses through advertising, claiming to be the “dream team,” is now the subject of judgments, fines, and penalties now, totaling more than $600,000.

On Tuesday, the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation issued fines of $258,000 against the dream team couple of Christopher Goddard and Ann-Marie Goddard and cited one of the couple's companies, Exodus Construction, LLC.

The DBR also ordered the Goddards to return $111,000 to one of their clients.

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In January, in a separate civil court case, the two were hit with a $251,379.20 judgment.

But there are far more claims yet to be resolved by families who paid the Goddards tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands and then, little or no work was completed.

One attorney representing one of the claimants worries that there are few assets to seize.

 

“Dream Team” Featured in “Who to Know”

The Goddards were prolific marketers, and the complaints against them have been equally so. There are currently seven civil cases pending against the Goddards and their companies.

Ann-Marie Goodard was featured on WPRI's "Who To Know" Television segment. In the interview, she explains how her kitchen & bath showroom allowed her to "customize all details of dream homes" designed by Exodus Design Group, the sister company of Exodus Construction.

They bought promotional ads in print.

Ann-Marie Goddard was dubbed a "leading lady" by Hey Rhody in 2023 in a sponsored content ad. 

The Goddards' company’s websites made big claims hyping their “problem-solving” and featuring their hands-on approach.

According to the company’s website:

Chris & Ann-Marie Goddard have over 50 years’ combined experience in the design, building and remodeling industry. Chris is the true problem-solver of the team. In his role as general contractor his wealth of understanding of the construction process and logistics involved in working in coastal areas of RI are invaluable to running projects smoothly. He enjoys working with people, and the gratification that comes with seeing what he and his teams build with their hands at the end of each day. In fact, he often comes home with job site stories and pictures to share with friends and family each day. When he’s not working, he can usually be found spending time with his daughter, Faith and his wife, Ann-Marie & their extended family.

Clients bought the hype.

 

Courts and Regulators

The DBR found that:

In 2022, Christopher Goddard and Exodus Construction LLC entered into a contract with a North Kingstown homeowner, accepting a deposit in the amount of $101,075. Goddard failed to perform any work and did not return the deposit.

In 2023, Christopher Goddard and Exodus Construction LLC entered into a contract with a West Greenwich homeowner, accepting a deposit in the amount of $10,000. In this case as well, Goddard failed to perform any work and did not return the deposit.

As a result, Christopher Goddard was found to have violated various state laws a total of 20 times.

Sanctions against Christopher Goddard and Ann-Marie Goddard include:

·      Revocation of registration

·      Permanent ban from holding contractor registrations

·      Permanent ban from engaging in any work that requires registration as a contractor

·      Order to return deposits to consumers totaling $111,075

·      Fined $258,000 in administrative penalties