Massachusetts Contractor Sentenced to Prison for $500,000 Home Improvement Scam
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A Plymouth man has been sentenced to prison after defrauding Massachusetts homeowners out of more than $500,000 through a scheme involving unfinished home improvement projects, particularly swimming pool installations. The case highlights a growing concern about predatory practices within the construction industry, especially during periods of high demand.
Plymouth County resident Steven Docchio, 59, pleaded guilty to four counts of larceny over $1,200 and received a 2.5-year sentence, with nine months to be served and the remaining time suspended, resulting in 10 years of probation. He was also ordered to provide restitution to his victims.
Pandemic-Era Demand Fueled Fraud
The scam unfolded during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for residential swimming pools dramatically increased. Prosecutors stated that Docchio exploited this surge in interest by offering homeowners unrealistic project timelines and falsely claiming privileged access to local building departments and material suppliers.
“This so-called contractor made promises to homeowners that he never delivered upon,” Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz said in a statement. “Through his schemes and scams Docchio victimized these people and stole from them – first their trust, and then their money.”
Pattern of Deception and Abandonment
According to authorities, Docchio repeatedly reassured clients that materials were ordered and work would soon resume when confronted about stalled projects. However, after receiving substantial upfront payments, he would ultimately abandon the installations, leaving homeowners with incomplete and unusable pools. The total amount defrauded from victims exceeded $500,000.
As part of his sentence, Docchio is prohibited from engaging in any construction or landscaping work throughout his probationary period. The Plymouth District Attorney’s office had initially recommended a more severe sentence of 4.5 to 5 years in state prison, followed by five years of probation.
“I am hopeful that with this defendant now going to jail and ordered to pay restitution, it will bring some form of closure to his victims,” Cruz added.
This case serves as a stark reminder for homeowners to thoroughly vet contractors and exercise caution when entering into large-scale home improvement agreements.
