Nassau DA: Contractor ripped off superstorm Sandy victims
Richard Holowchak, 53, scammed superstorm Sandy homeowners, prosecutors said. Credit: Nassau County District Attorney
A Brooklyn contractor ripped off five Nassau County homeowners who paid him a total of nearly $400,000 to repair damage from superstorm Sandy, prosecutors said Friday in announcing his arrest.
Richard Holowchak, 53, took the money, “and in most cases little or no repair or construction work was performed to the homes,” Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.
Holowchak was arraigned Thursday on charges of grand larceny and scheme to defraud, and was released on his own recognizance, Singas said in a news release.
He faces a maximum of 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted, the prosecutor said. Holowchak is due back in court on Jan. 17.
A woman who answered the telephone at the Carle Place law office of Jonathan Scher said the defense attorney had no comment.
Holowchak and his firm, Blue Diamond Construction Management, took the money on different dates in 2013, several months after superstorm Sandy hit on Oct. 29, 2012, the prosecutor said.
“This defendant is accused of preying on innocent Nassau County residents who just lost their homes to the most destructive storm to ever hit our area,” Singas said.
She urged anyone who may have been victimized by a contractor to reach out to her office or the Office of Consumer Affairs.
'A spark for them to escalate the fighting' A standoff between officials has stalled progress, eroded community patience and escalated the price tag for taxpayers. Newsday investigative editor Paul LaRocco and NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie report.
'A spark for them to escalate the fighting' A standoff between officials has stalled progress, eroded community patience and escalated the price tag for taxpayers. Newsday investigative editor Paul LaRocco and NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie report.
