'Renegade Contractor' Arraigned On ID Theft, Larceny Charges In New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A home contractor who is facing a criminal charge in Rockland County was arraigned Wednesday in New Rochelle City Court for grand larceny and identity theft. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. said Michael Scoca, 52, pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree identity theft and three counts of third-degree grand larceny, all felonies.

Scarpino said Scoca allegedly claimed in late 2015 he was a licensed general contractor and convinced a Bronx family planning to move to Westchester that he would build them a new family home.

He also convinced his victims to provide him with a total of five separate credit cards to pay for materials and construction costs for the new home.

Rather than completing the new home, Scoca allegedly used his victims’ personal identifying information and credit card numbers to pay for his own unrelated business and personal expenses, including a payment of nearly $3,000 for fees he owed to a New Rochelle yacht club, more than $1,000 in precious metal coins and other purchases totaling thousands of dollars from local retail stores and through his own PayPal account.

In about two months, Scoca allegedly stole more than $79,000 through the use of his victims’ stolen identities and credit card information.

He was remanded by the New Rochelle City Court.

Scoca has also been charged in Rockland County with third-degree grand larceny, a felony, for allegedly stealing more than $26,000 from a Stony Point homeowner who had contracted him to do a complete kitchen remodeling and other renovations.

Scoca’s name is included on the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection “Renegade Renovators” list.

Scoca faces up to seven years in state prison for each offense charged in New Rochelle as well as the charge in Rockland County.

His next court date in New Rochelle is June 15.

The Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection and the Better Business Bureau said that anyone considering hiring a home contractor should check with them. A consumer who believes he or she has been defrauded by a contractor can file a complaint with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

Photo caption: Michael Scoca. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney's Office.