Broward Cops Collar Contractor On New Charges; Pocketed Deposits, Failed To Complete Work

In Broward County, Florida, The Miami Herald reports:

• An unlicensed contractor on probation for ripping off dozens of homeowners in Miami-Dade County is being accused of ripping off another dozen new homeowners in Broward. John T. Pluto, 45, [...] was arrested Friday in Hollywood by the Economic Crimes Unit of the Broward Sheriff's Office on charges that he defrauded at least 14 Broward residents who needed concrete work at their homes in 2006. Pluto faces one count of organized scheme to defraud, a first-degree felony. He is being held at BSO's Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale without bond.

• BSO spokesman Mike Jachles said Pluto cheated local homeowners out of $50,000. Pluto's system, according to authorities: He would enter into contracts, begin some of the work, and become hard to reach after pocketing their deposits -- often totaling 50 percent of the final price.

For more, see Accused of new scams, contractor held in Broward (A contractor already in trouble for scamming homeowners in Miami-Dade is suspected of conducting a similar scheme in Broward) (if link expires, try here).

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