KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Knoxville man who paid a landscaper last spring says he had no idea the man was accused of cheating customers in Michigan, where he operated a tree service.
The landscaper never started the job at Chris Burgess’ home in Knoxville. Despite glowing reviews on Yelp for the landscaper, the online site didn’t mention the contractor’s previous profession in Michigan where he operated a tree service. Burgess didn’t know that information when he hired the man seven months ago.
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The landscaping Burgess paid for was to complement the pool he and his wife installed at their home last year. Taller plants and shrubs were to hug the fence line in the yard. While shorter plants were to be close to the pool, which is the way his HOA wanted it. He hired J.D. Gibson after finding him on Yelp in May 2025.
“[He] comes out here with his truck, everything looked official, he asked the right questions and yeah,” said Burgess…