By Jennifer Procario
The Long Island-based conman contractor who swindled well-over $100,000 from Bronx homeowners has been arrested and indicted.
John Arceri, of Huntington, allegedly failed to either make repairs or begin home improvement jobs for clients who made down payments totaling $142,300 from 22 Bronx homeowners during a six month period from June 1, 2006 through November 30, 2006.
Arceri was indicted on one count of grand larceny in the 2nd degree, 10 counts of grand larceny in the 3rd degree, three counts of grand larceny in the 4th degree, two counts of scheme to defraud in the 1st degree, and one count of petit larceny. He was released on his own recognizance. Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announced the news on Monday, January 28.
Arceri could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted of the most serious charge, grand larceny in the 2nd degree, a Class C felony offense. Arceri promoted his business, J. Arceri Home Improvements, in many Bronx neighborhoods by posting fliers and advertisements.
After allegedly luring in his victims, he would require clients to make large down payments and in some cases, work that was promised to begin in one week did not start until months later. In other cases, work that began was never completed or was completed so carelessly that jobs had to be redone later.
The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs first learned of the scheme when complaints from homeowners flooded the phones.
Locally though, victims were heading straight to local elected officials. Calhoun Avenue resident Ruth Burgmaier was one of the first people to report the scheme to Councilman Jimmy Vacca
