Man Performed Fake Extinguisher Inspections At 30 Businesses: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - A Brooklyn man was arrested on Wednesday for scamming 30 Suffolk County businesses into paying for fake fire extinguisher inspections, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney.

Michael Castellano, 51, of Brooklyn, was charged with of first degree scheme to defraud, first degree falsifying business records and petty larceny, the DA said.

Bail was set at $5,000 cash or $20,000 bond. He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County and is due back in court on March 30.

Castellano collected money from business owners for fire extinguisher inspections and falsified certificates of inspection under the business name Liberty Fire Extinguisher Sales Co. since August 2017, the DA said.

He charged businesses $20 per fire extinguisher and replaced the inspection tags without servicing the equipment, the DA said.

He collected approximately $1,050 from businesses located across Suffolk County, according to the DA.

Castellano targeted small businesses owned by immigrants, many of whom speak English as a second language.

DA Timothy Sini encourages business owners to check their fire extinguishers for inspection tags issued by Liberty Fire Extinguisher Sales Co.

“This individual was preying on small business owners who were trying to do the right thing and protect the safety of their employees,” Sini said. “This is not just a matter of bringing a scam artist to justice; it is a matter of ensuring that our small businesses are safe and in compliance with fire safety laws.”

If you are a business owner in Suffolk County and you were a victim of Castellano's scam, contact the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at 631-853-5602 or via email at InfoDA@suffolkcountyny.gov.