A Bloomfield man was arrested in connection with a $40K home improvement scam, targeting multiple homeowners in West Hartford. Homeowners can protect themselves from similar fraud by verifying contractors and being cautious of unsolicited offers.
The Scene on the Ground
The scene by nightfall in a West Hartford neighborhood is one of quiet desperation. Homeowners hired Imperial Construction and Masonry, paid a sum of money up front, and the jobs were never completed. In total, the homeowners had paid Imperial Construction and Masonry $40,500. This is the human detail of the scam: the money gone, the work undone, and the trust broken.
Across the country, the scene repeats. In Clearwater, Florida, a church is out more than $830,000 after a contractor spent most of the money on himself instead of a new building. Property Crimes Detective Parker Moody with Clearwater police found less than $100,000 of that amount actually went toward the project. The rest, investigators say, went to a personal credit card, a home mortgage, and even a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
Red Flags to Watch for in Contractors
The scams share common traits. In West Hartford, Richard Kiely, 35, was charged with two counts of second-degree larceny and impersonating a registered home improvement contractor. In Florida, the church’s contractor, William Botelho, was arrested on grand theft charges after demanding more money without documentation.
Brevard County Emergency Management warns of predatory tactics targeting vulnerable homeowners. In Palm Bay, where flood victims are already reeling, officials urge caution about unsolicited offers and high-pressure sales. One contractor offered extensive repairs costing between $10,000 and $20,000 to a 62-year-old woman whose house was already uninhabitable. The warning is clear: watch for contractors demanding large payments before work begins.
Verifying Contractor Legitimacy
Protection starts with verification. Homeowners should check if a contractor is properly licensed and insured. Bryan Oglesby with the Better Business Bureau of West Florida says people should research companies and their owners before hiring them, even if they come recommended. “Type in the name of the company, the owner of the company. Add the words, ‘scam, complaint, judgment,’ see what information you can find,” Oglesby said.
Getting three written, itemized estimates allows homeowners to compare quotes before agreeing to repairs. Officials also advise against paying in full upfront. Payments should be arranged based on completed work, and homeowners should never sign blank contracts or sign over insurance checks.
Consequences and Prevention
The consequences of falling for a scam are often financial ruin. For the Unity Church of Clearwater, the $830,000 loss is devastating. Years of delays have forced the congregation to meet virtually, affecting average attendance and making it harder to raise money. “Quite honestly, looking at the subpoenas and the bank accounts, it appears that most, if not all, of that money is gone,” Moody said.
For homeowners like Katherine Soroka in Palm Bay, the lesson is simple: don’t rush. “Please, please, please take your time in making a decision. Please don’t rush into anything,” she said. Anyone who suspects a scam should report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office at 1-866-966-7226. For those struggling to afford repairs, Brevard County has established a program connecting flood victims with volunteer organizations that may be able to assist with cleanup. Richard Kiely is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 19.
Sources
- Bob Nygaard
- Home Improvement Scam Cost Homeowners Over $40K; Man Arrested: West Hartford Police
- Clearwater church out more than $830,000 after contractor’s arrest
- Bloomfield man arrested in connection with $40K home improvement scam
- 'How do you know who to trust?' Palm Bay flood victims warned about predatory contractors
Photo: Luigi Zanasi (CC BY-SA 2.0 ca)
