Unlicensed Contractor Scammed Sandy Victims Out Of Over $110K: DA

NASSAU COUNTY, NY - A home improvement contractor from Smithtown was arrested on Tuesday for scamming victims of Superstorm Sandy out of over $110,000, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Lee Moser, 49, was charged with five counts of third degree grand larceny, first degree scheme to defraud and two counts of operating a home improvement business without a license, the DA said.

From April 2015 to August 2016, Moser signed contracts with five Nassau County homeowners to work on their homes that had been seriously damaged during the storm, according to the DA.

The homeowners wrote him checks for down payments using New York Rising funds made payable to his business, Capstone Remodeling, based in Smithtown.

Related: Contractor Scammed Nassau Sandy Victims During Recovery: DA

However, instead of working, Moser would make up excuses why he couldn't do the job including that he was in the hospital or taking care of his sick mother, and would use the money for gas, restaurants, telephone services and other unrelated expenditures, the DA said.

He was accused of stealing a total of $113,485 from the homeowners, the DA said. To date, Moser, who is current unlicensed, never repaid any of the homeowners but they were all re-issued funds from New York Rising.

“The defendant allegedly victimized these homeowners after they experienced one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory,” Singas said. “Anyone who feels like they have been targeted by an unscrupulous contractor is urged to contact my office or the Office of Consumer Affairs and report the incident.”

Bail was set at $5,000 bond or $2,000 cash and Moser is due back in court January 23. If convicted of the top count, he faces 2 years to seven years in prison.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a home improvement scam is encouraged to call the NCDA Tip Line at (516) 571-7755.

Photo: NCDA