https://www.kctv5.com/2025/04/16/kansas-city-contractor-max-howell-sentenced-21-months-prison-bank-fraud-money-laundering/

On Wednesday, Kansas City contractor Max Howell was sentenced to federal prison nearly a year after pleading guilty to bank fraud and money laundering.

Max Howell, 44, has been the focus of numerous KCTV5 investigations. He was accused of taking money from families and not doing the work, not paying subcontractors, and misusing Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds.

He’s had five sentences scheduled and then canceled, but on Wednesday, a federal judge finally determined his fate.

Howell is set to spend 21 months in federal prison. He initially faced 56 charges but was only sentenced for two. The Government dismissed the rest. He initially faced up to 40 years in prison.

He is also set to pay $231,841.84 in restitution to the bank from which he received money from and $88,123.08 in forfeiture.

Before the sentencing, Howell addressed the court.

He took responsibility for his actions, turned around, and apologized to his family in the courtroom. He also apologized to the bank and the community.

He said this would never happen again and that this experience has changed him.

KCTV5 Investigates asked Howell and his attorney how they felt about the sentencing after the hearing. Howell avoided the question, but his attorney provided a brief response.

“There is no comment. Thank you for your time. Mr. Howell has accepted the responsibility and we respect the prerogative of the court and I have no doubt he will faithfully perform his sentence, and that is all comment,” said James Hobbs, Howell’s attorney.

Howell is set to self-surrender on May 27, 2025, by 2 p.m. He’s been out on bond since he first faced these charges in 2022.

After finishing his sentence, Howell will be on supervised release for three years.