Rebecca Boutin and her mother Deborah McCabe-Atamanchuk stand in front of the unfinished addition at their business, Bite Me Kupcakez in Merrimack. The project has been at a standstill for nearly one year. Courtesy photo/Bite Me Kupcakez

MERRIMACK – Rebecca Boutin and her family never imagined the nightmare that lay ahead when they hired contractor Robert McClure to construct a two-story addition to their business, Bite Me Kupcakez.

In the spring of 2021, Boutin learned the devastating news that her mother had three brain tumors. Therefore, Boutin, whose home is attached to the business, wanted to have her mother closer to her, thus prompting the need for an in-law apartment.

Boutin said she and her mother met with four contractors, all them presented estimates of approximately $300,000. However, Boutin and her mother were only approved for a $175,000 business loan.

In December 2021, Boutin’s mother found McClure and his company, NE Construction, LLC, on Facebook.

“Bobby came out of the woodwork,” said Boutin, adding that McClure’s total project cost came in at $174,163 and “included everything.” “He was very personable, we listened to him, we trusted him.”

Although an informal background check revealed that McClure had gone to prison for marijuana possession, he was able to explain what happened and the project moved forward.

“My mother has good faith in people,” said Boutin.

The final contract was signed in March 2022. The following nine months consisted of working with the town to obtain the necessary zoning variances and a myriad of construction delays from McClure.

“It was excuse after excuse, delay after delay,” said Boutin, adding that construction did not begin until December 2022.

As time went on, McClure repeatedly told Boutin that he needed more money for materials, yet very little was getting done. She also had to pay out-of-pocket for an outside excavation company.

Boutin said she later learned one of McClure’s tricks to target unsuspecting customers, particularly those who are older.

“He Photoshopped quotes as invoices to submit to the bank,” said Boutin, adding that he had done this before.

By March 2023, the project had come to a complete standstill as McClure claimed that an outside plumber was needed. The funds from the business loan were nearly exhausted by that point yet only the frame and the roof had been constructed.

“We had to find an outside plumber and there was no more money,” said Boutin.

By September 2023, Boutin and her family were done dealing with McClure and terminated the contract. McClure was also instructed not to have any contact with Boutin’s family. However, McClure ignored those instructions and reached out to Boutin’s mother claiming he was “concerned for her safety and well-being.”

To make matters worse, in October 2023, Boutin’s mother was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had spread to her liver. The doctors told Boutin that her mother’s heightened state of anxiety likely caused the cancer to accelerate.

“I want him to rot behind bars,” Boutin said of McClure.

She also used TruthFinder to conduct a more thorough background check on McClure. What she uncovered was shocking and much more serious than marijuana possession. McClure had spent 15 years in prison for armed robbery and drug trafficking. In December 2023, Boutin notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the state Attorney General’s Office.

At the end of January of this year, she was informed by the FBI that the matter had been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office. However, there has been no response thus far.

“The state’s been sitting on this for over a month now,” she said.

Altogether, Boutin said McClure stole $170,000 from her and her family. She has been left having to repay the loan at $1,100 per month. The addition, although incomplete, has caused her property taxes to climb by $14,000.

Boutin said a lawsuit would be futile as McClure, who now lives in Weymouth, Mass., has since put all his assets in his fiance’s name.

“It’s going to take hundreds of years to get the money back,” said Boutin. “With my husband leaving his job to support both the business and our family, we are grappling with the harsh reality of financial hardship. Essential expenses, including prescriptions and bills, have become overwhelming and putting food on our table has become a daily struggle. The toll on our family has been immeasurable.”

Since opening in 2017, Bite Me Kupcakez has become a staple business in Merrimack. An allergy-friendly establishment, the bakery offers an array of treats that are free of soy, dairy, gluten and nuts.

In addition, Bite Me Kupcakez has never strayed from its mission to give back. Over the years, the bakery has hosted numerous events including the Fourth of July Breakfast and the Merrimack Police Department Breakfast. The bakery has also raised several thousand dollars to assist those impacted by the war in Ukraine.