IF YOU WERE CHEATED BY SOLAR WOLF, THERE'S ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO HELP!

Did the owner of Solar Wolf transfer money out of the company before bankruptcy filing?

Denise Coffey

Cape Cod Times
Published Feb. 13, 2023 

YARMOUTH — There has been another twist in the Solar Wolf Energy bankruptcy proceedings. 

Between April 2021 and May 2022, Ted Strzelecki signed contracts with and collected money from 55 Yarmouth residents without completing, and in some cases not even beginning, solar installations. Strzelecki, who owns Auburn-based Solar Wolf Energy, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in September 2022.  

Now it appears that Strzelecki transferred significant funds into bank accounts and a TD Ameritrade account just prior to filing for bankruptcy. Those funds and transfers were not reported in his Statement of Financial Affairs, a document that is required in bankruptcy filings.

Strzelecki is barred from doing business in Connecticut. He's also fighting lawsuits in Massachusetts.

It's not the first time Ted Strzelecki has been in court. Strzelecki and his wife, Julie, filed for bankruptcy in July 2008. Strzelecki completed a personal financial management certificate and his debt was discharged in March 2010.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong barred him from doing in business in Connecticut in 2022. He has not completed solar installations for customers in other towns in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The Worcester Business Journal reported on July 8, 2021 that Solar Wolf Energy was hit with three lawsuits seeking a total of $863,605 in damages and restitution. Lawsuits were filed in Worcester Superior Court and the U.S. District Court of Worcester alleging a failure to pay marketing services, and breach of lease and damages.

The latest development in the Yarmouth case came on Jan. 3, when Trustee Joseph Baldiga filed a motion to conduct an examination of Strzelecki’s assets and prepetition financial affairs. According to court documents, Baldiga confirmed that significant funds were transferred to a TD Ameritrade account prior to Strzelecki filing for bankruptcy.  

What to know about the Solar Wolf caseSolarize Yarmouth clients have unfinished projects, lost payments

Here's what we know about the money.

The motion for examination included the following additional details: 

The motion includes examination of accounts with Citizens Bank, National Association, Centerville Bank, Avidia Bank, and TD Ameritrade.   

Strzelecki offered several different explanations of what the TD Ameritrade account was for and who the beneficiary was during a creditor meeting in December 2022. 

Centerville bank account statements showed $64,000 one month and $2,000 two months later. A statement was not provided for the month in between.  

AG inquiry into Solar WolfAG inquiry into Solar Wolf sought. Yarmouth to fight until 'local customers ... made whole'

Baldiga requested information several times since September for bank statements, copies of check images, logins for QuickBooks, computer hard drives, and tablets, and pertinent documents that Strzelecki promised to provide, but never did. 

Strzelecki failed to indicate dates for several bank account closures on his paperwork. 

Solar Wolf ceased operations in May, 2022, but Strzelecki continued to take deposits from Yarmouth customers. 

According to the Statement of Financial Affairs that Strzelecki filed, Solar Wolf had $681,024 in gross sales revenue in the first four to five months of 2022.

Yarmouth:Customers left high and dry by Solar Wolf Energy urged to contact AG's office

What happens to Solar Wolf customers now?

According to Baldiga there are six secured creditors and 233 unsecured creditors as of January 2023. Baldiga told unsecured creditors that it was unlikely they would see any reimbursement. Residents have the option of applying for the Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration and Guaranty Fund, but there are eligibility requirements and maximum reimbursement amounts.  

The next creditor meeting is scheduled for Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. To access the meeting, call 877-522-2542, then enter participant code 6423133#.    

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Solarize Yarmouth clients have unfinished projects, lost payments: Everything to know

Denise Coffey

 Cape Cod Times
PUBLISHED SEPT 25,2022

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Attorney General's office investigating Solar Wolf for scamming Yarmouth solar customers

Denise Coffey

Cape Cod Times

Published May 11, 2022 

YARMOUTH — Residents who signed up with Solar Wolf to have solar panels installed as part of the town’s energy saving campaign were blindsided Tuesday night with news that the company had gone “silent.” 

Mike Duffy, solar coach with Solarize Plus Yarmouth, sent an email notice to Yarmouth residents who had signed contracts with Solar Wolf, paid for installations or were still waiting for work to be completed. Duffy said Solar Wolf had been unresponsive to calls and emails. There were indications that there were issues between Solar Wolf and its solar panel producer, SunPower. 

Resident Jami Carder panicked when she received the email. She has deposited roughly $20,000 with the company for roof repairs and solar installation. She contacted a sales representative she had been dealing with and the woman said she was in the dark as well. The woman said Solar Wolf employees were told Friday that they were no longer employed. 

Rep Timothy Whelan, R-Brewster, and Yarmouth Town Administrator Robert Whritenour Jr. said the Attorney General’s office has opened an investigation. Whelan urged anyone who has been scammed by Solar Wolf to file a complaint with the Yarmouth police department as well as contacting the Attorney General’s office. Whelan’s email address is Timothy.Whelan@mahouse.gov.   

Yarmouth will host a Zoom meeting on Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m. Go to the town website for more information, https://www.yarmouth.ma.us/. 

According to a June 2021 Worcester Business Journal article, Solar Wolf was sued three times for $874,000 for failed payments. 

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