Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon and Nassau County Commissioner of Consumer Affairs Roger Bogsted announced that 15 individuals have been charged in connection with home improvement fraud. "In each case," Dillon said, "homeowners were victimized by unscrupulous operators who took their money and then failed to satisfactorily complete the home improvements for which they were paid."

Dillon stated, "Thevenot Gourdet, a.k.a. Trever Gordon, 38, an unlicensed home improvement contractor was given a sum of $17,500 from a Plainview woman to purchase materials (wood and windows) for a home improvement project and to pay subcontractors. Gordon never purchased the materials nor paid the concrete foundation subcontractors and eventually fled the jurisdiction. He has been charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony.

"Charged with operating a home improvement business without a license were: Jim Chen, 50, doing business as C & S Construction, 140-33 34th Avenue, Apartment 2E, Flushing, was contracted by a resident of Woodbury to refinish the basement, which included removing wallpaper in the main hallway and painting. The total cost of the work was to be $13,000 of which the victim paid $500 by check. Before the starting date, the victim learned that Chen did not have a home improvement license in Nassau and told him that they wanted to cancel the contract and requested a refund of their deposit. Chen has not refunded the money.

"Further, Walter Moler, 44, of 302 Rosalind Avenue, Gloucester City, New Jersey, was contracted by a Plainview man to renovate his kitchen, including new tile flooring, new cabinetry, new doors, painting and upgrading the electric. The total cost of the work was to be $11,966.80, of which $9,031.80 was paid by checks. Moler never showed up and although he had said he ordered the kitchen cabinets, no order was ever placed.

"This once again underscores the need for homeowners to check with us to be sure a contractor is licensed before paying them any money," Bogsted noted. "Homeowners should call Consumer Affairs at 571-2600 to check the legitimacy of a home improvement contractor or to register a complaint about incomplete or unsatisfactory work."

Dillon added, "I would like to thank Commissioner Bogsted and his staff for their assistance during the investigation. We look forward to continuing to work with the Office of Consumer Affairs in protecting all Nassau County residents."