GLASTONBURY, Conn. -- About a dozen families said they gave a Glastonbury company money to do remodeling work on their homes -- but they said the work was never finished.

They said the company, Custom Basements of Connecticut, then disappeared. One couple called the Channel 3 I-Team for help.

Since the I-Team began digging, about a dozen complaints have been reported. Some families said they gave the company as much as $40,000, but got little in return.

One of the company's owners is blaming what happened on the bad economy, but homeowners and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal claim they’re not so sure.

"It just seemed like a very safe bet," resident John Strell.

John and Tina Strell, of Prospect, said they wanted a finished basement for their children. They hired Custom Basements of Connecticut, and the work started last month. The framing and electrical work was done, they said, but after the third check was written, the work stopped.

"We gave them the check and they never showed up," John said.

They said they were unable to reach the owners of the company, but were able to contact an employee.

"We dialed her phone number, she picked up and said, I'm sorry, but they are out of business. You lost your money and there is nothing we can do,'" John said.

The couple said the work on their basement is less than 20 percent done and they're out $32,000

"We're very upset, angry," Tina said. "The kids saw we lost a lot of money. The kids saw mommy crying."

The Strells are not alone.

"The first three weeks were going along really great, and then all of a sudden silence," Southington victim Alex Cortes said. "No response at all."

Cortes said he and his wife also paid Custom Basements of Connecticut more than $30,000 and their basement is nowhere near done.

"I don't know if they ever intended to finish the job, and we are left with a half-finished basement and nowhere to turn," he said.

And then there are subcontractors and small business owners like Gary Silverman, who provided flooring for custom basements. After several bounced checks, he said, the company wouldn't return his calls.

"This was set up willfully, maliciously, wantonly, with only one sole purpose: for them to benefit financially," said Silverman, of CarpetWorks.

Custom Basements is gone from its headquarters, police said. They said the landlord wasn't even notified they had left.

Police said all that was left behind were bags filled with files and contracts.

Custom Basements of Connecticut had been in business four years. Last November, it won the Torch Award for ethics from the Better Business Bureau, The attorney general even spoke at the award banquet.

Police said the company used the award and attorney general as marketing tools to get business.

"What sold us was the award that was given Nov. 13," Tina said.

"If these individuals were taking money, knowing they could not fulfill their commitments, we certainly will take action," Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal said he never endorsed the company and believes the owners could be facing criminal charges.

Following some leads, the I-Team was able to track down owner Nicole Kiesman.

"If I could have things another way, I would have them another way," she said.

Kiesman said she blames the economy.

"Lending dried up a lot, so clients were unable to be financed," she said.

However, employees at Custom Basements told a different story. They said the owners paid themselves high salaries of more than $150,000.

When asked about the company not returning the calls of people who felt they were owed money, Keisman said, "I understand how they feel, and to the best of my ability I communicated with the people I could. I couldn't speak to everyone."

But the families who spoke to the I-Team said they never heard from Keisman.

When asked about abruptly closing up shop without leaving any notice, Keisman said "We have had people call and threaten us."

She said she understands the customers being upset, but that she "wouldn't threaten bodily harm to somebody, and that's the only part I take issue with."

But the Strells and the Corteses said they never threatened anyone.

As for the reason the company continued to take on more business when things were going downhill, Keisman said, "We always thought we would be pulling out of the slump we were in."

But the Strells said that's little consolation.

"I want my money," Tina said.

Also raising eyebrows is that a manager from Custom Basements of Connecticut started up a new company, Connecticut Home Conversions, while Custom Basements was going under.

Blumenthal said he's looking into whether any assets from Custom Basements were used to start up the new business.

To share your experience with Custom Basements of Connecticut with the I-Team, call 860-244-1780 or send an e-mail