Although I run my own business, my father has been put on the wrong side of a bad business transaction.

Highlights:
Pays guy to build garage, gives him 1/3 down.
6 months later, tons of calls not returned no permit has been obtained
In meantime finds out this guy is life time crook. Starts a business as one name, then closes, starts as another with very similar name.
9/9 guy agrees to give my dad back his money - $1k admin costs.

Based on the BBB response he doesn't plan to give anything back.

copy of that report is here
www.nwstp.com/garage/file.htm

A complaint has also been filed with Attorney general

What would you guys do? He is afraid to pay a lawyer money only to just dump more into this what appears to be a lost cause.