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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release on March 29, 2006
Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150
William.Smith@rcda.nyc.gov
D.A. Donovan: S.I. Contractor
Indicted For $35k+ Grand Larceny & Fraud Scheme
***Anthony Momole, 32, Indicted on Multiple Counts
of 3rd Degree Grand Larceny and Fraud Charges; Already Facing Felony
Charges for 2 Other Victims***
STATEN ISLAND, NY - Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. announced today the unsealing of an indictment naming Anthony Momole, (DOB: 6/5/1973) of the Rossville section of the borough, on the felony charges of three counts of 3rd Degree Grand Larceny, two counts of 4th Degree Grand Larceny, and 1st Degree Scheme to Defraud. In the indictment he is accused of defrauding seven Island homeowners of a total of $35,950. The amounts defrauded range from $500 up to $22,000.
The defendant also faces charges from a 7-count indictment filed in January 2006, in which he is alleged to have stolen over $37,000 from two Staten Island residents by failing to perform contracted work and forged two New York City Department of Buildings work permits.
In this indictment, it is alleged that between July 2001 and October 2005, the defendant, doing business as “Duramax Concrete”, did enter into agreements with seven Staten Island homeowners, at the following locations, to perform concrete or repaving work at their residence that was never completed:
• Endor Avenue
• Elmira Street
• Regis Drive
• Westervelt Avenue
• Lion Street
• Watson Avenue
• Islington Street
“I would like to thank the media for their attention to this case and shining a light on Mr. Momole’s nefarious business practices,” stated District Attorney Donovan, “due to the coverage of the initial arrest last year many more victims have come forward and assisted our investigation.”
The top count of both indictments is Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree which carries a top penalty of up to 7 years in prison.
The defendant was arraigned on the charges Wednesday afternoon in State Supreme Court before Judge Stephen Rooney. He is being held on bail of $50,000 for each of the two indictments. The defendant is due back in court on April 11, 2006.
The case is being prosecuted by ADA Janet Silvers, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Bureau; under the supervision of ADA Mario Mattei, Chief of the Investigations Bureau. The defendant is represented by William Leykam, Esq.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Tips for Staten Islanders When Selecting a Home Improvement Contractor
District Attorney Donovan offers the following tips for consumers to consider while shopping for a home improvement contractor to perform work at their residence:
1. Ensure that the Contractor is appropriately licensed by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.
2. Ensure that the contractor has adequate liability insurance and workers compensation insurance.
3. Ask the contractor for a written list of his/her three most recent projects with names, telephone numbers and addresses of the owners. Call the owners and ask questions as to the performance of the contractor.
4. Check with the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General to find out whether the contractor has any complaints filed, or whether or not any disciplinary action has been taken against the contractor.
5. Do not enter into any construction agreements without a written contract. Before signing a contract make sure that your attorney reviews the contract.
-end-