Upstate Man Bilked Homeowners For Improvement Work: Police

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — An upstate man was accused of defrauding numerous homeowners in the guise of performing home improvements.

The New York State Police said Lionel L. Rushford Jr., 46, of Plattsburgh, Clinton County, was charged Friday with fourth-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud, both felonies.

Police said its investigation found that Rushford took money from numerous homeowners as down payments to perform landscaping, plumbing, fencing and other home improvement work.

He defrauded people throughout the Hudson Valley in excess of $10,000, police said.

Rushford would collect the down payments and then would stop communicating with the victims, never returning to the residences to do any work, according to authorities.

Troopers and investigators were never able to locate Rushford.

On July 20, an arrest warrant was obtained for him from the Town of Cairo Court.

Rushford turned himself in Friday at the Catskill barracks.

He was arraigned in the Town of Catskill Court and sent to the Ulster County Jail without bail.

Authorities said Rushford is scheduled to reappear in the Town of Catskill Court Aug. 19.

Anyone who feels they may have been defrauded out of money by Rushford should call the New York State Police at Catskill at 518-622-8600. Reference SJS # 10250533.

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