NCDA: Plumber Scammed Sandy Victims in Need of Home Repairs

A Floral Park man scammed Hurricane Sandy victims out of thousands of dollars after promising to perform home repairs, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

David Jensen, 45, was charged with three counts of third-degree grand larceny, five counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, one count of first-degree scheming to defraud, and one count of petit larceny, said the DA. He was arraigned in Nassau County Court before Judge Anthony Paradiso, who set a $10,000 bail, said the DA.

If he is convicted, Jensen could face between two and one-third and seven years in prison, according to the DA.

Officials said Jensen was working as a plumber and was based in Plainview when Hurricane Sandy hit Long Island. Jensen allegedly told several customers that their homes had to be fitted with new National Grid equipment so he could begin installing a natural gas heating system, said the DA.

A total of nine victims from Elmont, Franklin Square, Massapequa, Wantagh, East Meadow, Roosevelt, Huntington Station, and Valley Stream paid Jensen anywhere from $1,000 to $4,200 each for work he did not perform, according to Thursday’s indictment.

Officials began investigating Jensen’s actions after National Grid notified the DA’s Criminal Complaints Bureau in April 2013.

“Almost two years after Sandy hit, homeowners are still struggling to recover from the costly damage incurred by this historic storm,” NCDA Kathleen Rice said. “This case is part of my office’s continuing efforts not only to vigorously prosecute those who scam homeowners struggling in the wake of yesterday’s storms, but to deter others from scamming homeowners in the aftermath of storms to come.”

Jensen is due back in court Sept. 12.

More from Patch:

State Lawmaker Proposes Drug Testing During Adolescent Physical Exams

Cops: Hicksville Man Posed as Doctor, Wrote Fake Prescriptions

Cops: Five Towns Woman Robbed in Driveway

Police: Dead Body Found in Water Off Atlantic Beach