Contractor Sentenced For Defrauding Cape, South Shore Customers

BROCKTON, MA — A roofing contractor from Pembroke was sentenced to two-to-three year in prison after prosecutors said he defrauded more than three dozen homeowners across the Cape and South Shore out of more than $250,000. Matthew Will, 38, pleaded guilty Thursday to larceny of property over $1,200 by single scheme, state building code violation, money laundering, seven counts of home improvement contracting violations and three counts of forgery and uttering. Prosecutors said Will defrauded homeowners in Falmouth, Wareham, Middleboro, Duxbury, Plympton, Easton, Hanson and Pembroke.

The investigation began in July 2018 when 15 people reported to Middleboro police that Will defrauded them out of money ranging from $800 to $12,000, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors said Will, operating as 5-Star Discount Roofing, secured contracts with the victims after a severe nor'easter struck the region.

Prosecutors said Will took his customers' money and then never came back to complete the work and ignored their calls. Similar reports came in at police stations across the Cape and South Shore until November 2018.

After the initial reports were made to police, prosecutors said Will used a fake name and told customers in Falmouth, Hanson and Pembroke he ran a company called Matthew Ryan Roofing. Prosecutors said he took more jobs, received the money and once again didn't complete the work. Will also forged customer signatures on contracts to get building permits, prosecutors said. Plymouth County District Attorney said many of Will's victims were elderly.

"Mr. Will promised necessary home improvements to these victims, many of whom were elderly, and even went so far as to use conditions of a nor’easter storm to his advantage,"Cruz said in a statement. "Through his schemes and scams he victimized these people and stole from them, first their trust, and then their money. I am hopeful that Mr. Will will spend some time in state prison thinking about his manipulative actions toward this vulnerable group of victims."

Once Will complete his prison sentence, he will be held on three years probation, prosecutors said. He was also ordered to stay away from any victims in the case and must surrender his contractor's license.