Rent-A-Husband Owner Arraigned for Fraud

(NECN: Marnie MacLean, Portland, Maine) - The owner of a nationally-known handyman business was in a Portland, Maine, courtroom today. Kaile Warren, the founder of Rent-a-Husband, was arraigned on charges he misled investors and used some of their money for personal expenses. A Portland, Maine, courtroom is the last place these peopleexpected to be when they decided to get involved with Kaile Warrenand his Rent-a-Husband business.It's not where Kaile Warren expected to be either. Warrenis facing charges of securities fraud -- the state says he misleadinvestors and others who gave him money by creating the false impressionthat his business was financially sound.For Warren, it's a shocking turn around for what appeared to be rags to richesstory...13 years ago down and out handyman living Portland's waterfrontwhen the idea came to him.The catchy name got him a new business and a lot of media attention.There were appearances on Oprah, and a long term deal with a network morningshow.Warren tried to use that attention to grow his business--eventuallyoffering franchises. Both Joanne Grace and Lori Johnson say they gave Warren tens of thousands of dollars to buy franchises...but Warren never delivered.Peter Forbes says Warren personally guaranteed a ten thousand dollarloan---telling Forbes he was on the verge of a big deal with ACE Hardware.But Kaile Warren maintains he did not commit any crime.Warren has hired well known Portland attorney Daniel Lilley, whospecializes in malpractice law...and indicated today that he will be lookingat the law firm who helped Warren with both franchise agreements and promissorynotes given to investors.But these people say they gave their money directly to KaileWarren and they blame him.Warren's next court appearance is scheduled for April.