It started as a philanthropic dream for New Hampshire’s scenic Lake Sunapee region. Valerie Mars, a billionaire heiress to the Mars Inc. candy fortune, wanted to build something for the public. She bought up hundreds of acres. She planned nature trails, a daycare, and beach access for people who aren't usually invited to the "billionaire's club" of lakefront property.
Then things got messy.
By August 2025, the news broke: the Mars heiress sues Lake Sunapee contractor for a staggering $10 million. The lawsuit, filed in Merrimack County Superior Court, isn't just a rich person complaining about a leaky roof. It's a massive allegation of embezzlement, 95% markups, and a sudden corporate collapse that left 145 people without jobs.
If you live in Newport or New London, you probably saw the white trucks. Relax & Co. was everywhere. Now, those trucks are sitting idle, and the owner, James "Jim" Bruss, is navigating a bankruptcy filing while facing claims that he treated a billionaire’s bank account like his own personal piggy bank.
What Really Happened with Relax & Co.?
Jim Bruss built Relax & Co. into a property management powerhouse. They did everything—landscaping, plowing, construction, cleaning. To the outside world, they were a success story. They paid well. They gave out gift cards. They were "backed by Mars."
But the lawsuit paints a darker picture. According to the 25-page civil complaint, Valerie Mars paid Bruss approximately $17.9 million for work on four major projects.
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The math didn't add up.
One specific project, known as the "Boathouse," saw Mars billed $4.8 million. The lawsuit alleges that the actual work performed was only worth about $832,449. That is a massive gap. We’re talking about alleged markups that reached 95% on subcontractor bills.
The Projects at the Center of the Storm
Valerie Mars wasn't just building a vacation home. Her goals were largely conservation-focused. The lawsuit highlights a few key properties:
- The Secret Cove: A 120-acre parcel with half a mile of Lake Sunapee shoreline. Mars intended to donate this for public beach access.
- Kearsarge Community Common: Formerly the Girl Scout Camp Wabasso. The plan here was an outdoor recreation area and a daycare facility.
- Residential Sites: Two private projects in New London and Sutton.
Honestly, the most shocking part of the filing is the "confession." The lawsuit claims that when Mars confronted Bruss in July 2025, he actually admitted to some of it. He signed a repayment agreement promising to return $5.2 million.
He missed the first $1 million payment. That’s when the legal gloves came off.
The Fallout: 145 Jobs Lost and a Bankruptcy Stay
When the lawsuit hit, Relax & Co. didn't just stumble—it imploded. Within days, the company locked its doors in Newport. Employees who had nothing to do with the alleged fraud were suddenly out of work. Some were reportedly "shamed in public" just for wearing the company logo.
It's a classic case of the "trickle-down" effect of corporate litigation. While the billionaire and the contractor fight it out in court, the local community feels the immediate sting.
Where is the money now?
Mars alleges that Bruss used the diverted funds to fuel a lavish lifestyle. The lawsuit specifically mentions the $1.3 million purchase of the Rosewood Country Inn in Bradford, NH.
By September 2025, Jim and Gina Bruss filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This move triggered an "automatic stay," which basically puts a pause on the civil lawsuit.
What's left in the pot?
The bankruptcy filing lists assets like a Porsche 911, a BMW 430i, and a Cadillac XT6. But with $8.7 million in liabilities and only about $2.4 million in assets, it's unlikely Valerie Mars—or any other creditors—will see a full recovery anytime soon.
Why This Matters for New Hampshire Property Owners
This case is a cautionary tale for anyone hiring a contractor, whether you're a candy heiress or just someone fixing a deck. It highlights the dangers of "cost-plus" arrangements or trusting a single entity to manage every aspect of a massive project without independent oversight.
The "Mars heiress sues Lake Sunapee contractor" headline might sound like elite drama, but the underlying issues are local. It’s about land conservation, public access to New Hampshire’s natural beauty, and the stability of the local workforce.
Actionable Insights for Large-Scale Construction
If you're managing a significant renovation or development, learn from this disaster:
- Independent Audits: Never let the person doing the work be the only person checking the books. Mars reportedly found the discrepancies after her own team started digging.
- Verify Subcontractor Invoices: Always ask for the original "pass-through" invoices. A 95% markup is only possible if the primary client isn't looking at the raw costs.
- Tiered Payments: Link payments strictly to verified milestones. Don't advance millions based on "trust," even if the contractor has a decade-long reputation.
- Lien Waivers: Ensure you are getting lien waivers from every subcontractor. In the Relax & Co. case, many local subs were left unpaid when the company folded.
The story isn't over. While the bankruptcy proceeds, the land—those 300+ acres—remains in limbo. Valerie Mars has stated she still intends to move forward with the public projects once the legal mess is cleared. For the people of the Sunapee region, that’s the only silver lining in a very expensive cloud.
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To stay protected on your own projects, always ensure you have a "Right to Audit" clause in your construction contracts. This allows you to bring in a third party to verify that every dollar you pay is actually going into the dirt and the wood, not into a contractor's Porsche collection.