MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced grand jury charges today against a Floral Park plumber who stole thousands of dollars from nine Long Island homeowners mostly to perform work in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
David Jensen, 45, was arrested and arraigned today before Nassau County Court Judge Anthony Paradiso on three counts of Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree (a D felony), five counts of Grand Larceny in the 4th Degree (an E felony), one count of Scheme to Defraud in the 1st Degree (an E felony) and one count of Petit Larceny (an A misdemeanor). Judge Paradiso set bail at $10,000 cash or bond. Jensen faces up to 2-1/3 years to seven years in prison if convicted on each top charge. He is due back in court on Sept. 12.
“Almost two years after Sandy hit, homeowners are still struggling to recover from the costly damage incurred by this historic storm,” DA Rice said. “This case is part of my office’s continuing efforts not only to vigorously prosecute those who scam homeowners struggling in the wake of yesterday’s storms, but to deter others from scamming homeowners in the aftermath of storms to come.”
Beginning in September 2012, and following Superstorm Sandy, Jensen visited homeowners as a Plainview-based plumber doing business as All County Plumbing & Heating, as well as Proline Plumbing & Heating. Each of the homeowners signed a contract and paid Jensen a deposit ranging from $1,000 to $4,200 to fix damage to their heating systems.
During those visits, Jensen advised each of the homeowners that their homes would have to be fitted with equipment from National Grid in order for him to begin installation of natural gas heating system. Each of the homeowners complied with this instruction, but Jensen was unreachable and never returned to any of the jobs. Jensen failed to respond to phone calls or letters demanding a refund of their deposits.
Eight of the nine homeowners in today’s indictment paid Jensen to perform work after Superstorm Sandy hit. Two of the homeowners resided in Elmont, and one each reside in Franklin Square, Massapequa, Wantagh, East Meadow, Roosevelt, Huntington Station and Valley Stream.
In April 2013, DA Rice’s Criminal Complaints Bureau received information from National Grid about customers who reported paying Jensen for repairs to their heating systems that were never performed. Jensen was arrested today after an investigation into the allegations by customers.
Assistant District Attorney Edward Bradley of DA Rice’s Government and Consumer Fraud Bureau is prosecuting the case. Jensen is represented by Patrick Kauffman, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.