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Ex-Colt Ken Dilger's company accused of not paying workers

Dilger listed as CFO at People Resources
Posted at 5:39 PM, Jul 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-19 18:23:12-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Indianapolis Colt Ken Dilger is facing criticism after courts in Marion and Hamilton counties issued judgments this month against a company in which Dilger is listed as the chief financial officer.

Construction workers told Call 6 Investigates they’re out thousands of dollars after they worked for a company, People Resources, and were paid with bad checks.

Documents filed in 2014 with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office list Dilger as the CFO of People Resources.

Dilger played for the Colts during the '90s and early 2000s as a tight end.

Jerry Owsley of Fishers is listed as the president and incorporator of People Resources and the company is listed as “active” on the state’s website.

Chad Crumpler and Curtis Hansen said they worked for People Resources in 2015, doing carpentry and other work on an east side condo.

Crumpler said he found the company on Craigslist and wanted to work for them because they touted the Colts connection.

“I have a Colts sticker on my hard hat,” said Crumpler. “When I heard it was Ken Dilger, I was very excited and I was bragging, to be very honest.”

However, their final checks for the job bounced, Crumpler and Hansen said.

“I’m a firm believer that an honest day’s labor gets an honest day’s pay,” said Hansen. “I’m not out to get rich.”

“Pay us,” said Crumpler. “We sweat and we bleed for this work.  We just want paid for the work we did.”

Crumpler took the issue to court, and just this month successfully won two judgments against People Resources –$4,077 in Hamilton County and $1,900 in Marion County.

It’s not yet clear if Dilger or the company president, Owsley, will pay the judgment.

Owsley told Call 6 Investigates he doesn’t have any money left, and plans to file for bankruptcy.

Owsley said the workers went to Kroger to cash the checks, when they should have gone to Chase Bank.

“Ken Dilger was just helping me out,” said Owsley. “He’s on the board.  The business just kind of deteriorated and I didn’t have money for an attorney.”

Crumpler denied being an opportunist.

“I am not trying to retire off of this, I just expect to be paid for the work that I did,” said Crumpler. “That’s all I’m asking.”

Court records show Crumpler has faced a number of civil lawsuits, including apartment complexes who have sued him.

“I’m not claiming to be a saint, I’m a carpenter,” said Crumpler. “I work hard for a living.”

Hansen said People Resources owes him $1,400 for the bad check and he’s considering filing a civil lawsuit as well.

Call 6 Investigates emailed and called Ken Dilger for a comment on People Resources, but did not hear back.

Court records show another judgment in Marion County against People Resources, Jerry Owsley and Indy Construction and Transportation Services for $113,100 in October 2015.

In another separate case, records show Ken Dilger defaulted on a promissory note in Hamilton County and the court issued a $71,596 judgment against Dilger in November 2015.

An attorney for the plaintiff said Dilger has started making payments and is following a payment schedule.