Syracuse, N.Y. — A Central New York man has been convicted of defrauding two couples out of $19,000 for home improvement projects he had no intention of completing, Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci said.
Michael Young, of Preble, pleaded guilty in Cayuga County Court on Wednesday to first-degree scheme to defraud, the district attorney said.
Antonacci said the fraud occurred from May through August last year.
After completing a home improvement job for a couple in Locke, Young was paid $12,000 for additional work he did not complete, according to Antonacci. Young took $7,000 from a couple in Summerhill and never completed any work for them, she said.
Young will receive a prison sentence of two to four years and will be ordered to pay full restitution to both couples when he returns to court for sentencing on July 25, Antonacci said. Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Valdina handled the prosecution of Young.
“Most home improvement contractors are hard working and honest,” Antonacci said in a statement. “But as this case shows, unscrupulous individuals will take advantage of homeowners who are in need of repairs or improvements. If you believe that you have been defrauded in this manner, keep documentation and contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.”
Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply