Friday, July 24, 2009

Nassau County DA "Stings" Unlicensed Long Island Contractors; Some Accused Of Pocketing Upfront Homeowner Deposits & Failing To Deliver

In Nassau County, New York, the New York Post reports:
  • Nearly four dozen unlicensed Long Island contractors were more skilled at pulling in thousands of dollars for jobs -- than actually doing the work, officials said today. Nassau DA Kathleen Rice announced the results of a 5-week investigation, including the running of a "Sting House" to lure a dozen unlicensed contractors in and capture them on video. Rice said 42 poeple were charged in the larger investigation, including four charged with felonies for never starting -- let alone finishing -- work homeowners had already paid for. [...] One of the arrested contractors, John Napolitano, 47, of Hicksville, was charged with defrauding four homeowners out of a total of $113,000 for ripping apart their homes and never completing renovations.(1)

Source: 42 CHARGED IN LI CONTRACTING SCAM.

For the Nassau County DA press release, see 42 Unlicensed Contractors Nabbed in Countywide Enforcement Sweep (Four charged with felonies after investigation discovers theft and shoddy craftsmanship; 12 busted in undercover house sting).

(1) According to the Nasau County DA, one homeowner had her entire kitchen demolished when Napolitano stopped work and didn’t refund her any money.