Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Central Florida Man Charged In Alleged Home Improvement Scam

The Tampa Tribune reports:

  • "Frank Edmund Donofrio, the Seminole man who has been accused by at least a dozen Pinellas County residents of failing to properly renovate their property and of setting them up with high interest loans to pay for the work, was arrested in Tampa last week. Donofrio, 41, was charged with grand theft and acting in the capacity of a contractor without a license. The charges were the result of his dealings with a Tampa homeowner."

In addition to the current legal matter, Donofrio reportedly also has hanging over his head (1) a pending 2005 criminal case for a charge of grand theft in connection with another contract, and (2) a civil case in which he was sued by almost a dozen homeowners for shoddy work and for setting them up with high interest loans (some have since agreed to undisclosed financial settlements, but four are proceeding with the suit). For more, see Controversial renovator charged with grand theft (Civil and criminal charges are not new for Frank Donofrio, who took over his parents' business).

For other articles on the alleged escapades of Eddie Donofrio, see:

  • Renovator pleads no contest to theft (Frank Donofrio must pay $13,200 in restitution to a St. Petersburg homeowner. He still faces lawsuits related to other incidents).
  • Remodeler faces new complaints (A couple accuse him of shoddy work at a steep price) (St. Petersburg Times, 1-28-2007),
  • Home renovator wants to settle suit (Ed Donofrio sends checks to at least two couples. They say it's not nearly enough) (St. Petersburg Times, 2-13-2005),
  • State investigators home in on renovator ("Eddie" Donofrio says he is trying to satisfy clients who complained of incomplete and incompetent work) (St. Petersburg Times, 4-18-2004),
  • In a fix (Homeowners were promised affordable home improvements, but say they were delivered high payments, shoddy work and stress), (St. Petersburg Times, 3-21-2004).

Go here for other stories of contractors stiffing customers.

contractors stiff subs customers alpha