RENE MENDOZA INTERIORS INC

It went HORRIBLY. All payments were made in advance, but when furniture was supposed to arrive, it didn't. There were many stories to explain why, but they became less and less believable over time. Finally, upon making phone calls directly to vendors of furniture or upholsterers, I learned that they had never been paid with the money I had given Rene. Furniture had been ready to pick up for 6 weeks but the furniture company would not release it without payment. The upholsterers were unable to start work that should have been finished 2 weeks prior, because they had never been paid. The stories of progress with the vendors and the projects, and mistakes with delivery were complete fabrications. My money had been taken several months prior. When I confronted Rene about this, he would ignore my questions as if he didn't hear me. Then he stopped returning my calls. I called my real estate agent who had referred me to Rene and had been his friend for over 20 years - for help. He tried to resolve the situation but ended up in the same state as myself, which is completely ignored. I recently learned that Rene altered a check I had written directly to a vendor, and made the payee himself and cashed the check. I am out over $15,000 and am having to pay for the furniture and upholstery AGAIN, directly to the vendors. I have filed a police report regarding the forged check and am taking Rene Mendoza to court for FRAUD. I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and noticed there was another similar complaint from June 2011. I would like to save anyone else from this fraudulent situation. As I have delved deeper into this, I have heard from vendors that this behavior from Rene Mendoza is not new but appears to be escalating. Once aware, people do not want to deal with him for obvious reasons. I wish I had this information before I ever got involved with him.