Okay, so you gave them how much money originally? >> $216,000 so far. Okay, and how much work have they done? None. I called that business and they said he was not working under them. He lied. He has guns in his home and they're being threatened by him. For what? What I didn't do anything. Did anything? >> just trapped me here. On February 28th, 2024, officers issued a stop work order at a home renovation project after discovering that the contractor responsible for the work had not obtained the required permits. The homeowners later reported that they had paid the contractor $216,000 for renovation work that remained largely unfinished, leading authorities to begin an investigation into possible construction fraud. >> All right, so tell me what happened. So, on February 8th, the county came out and shut down our renovations. Uh-huh. On the house. It led me to have to hire a new contractor right away because I didn't know what was going on. I didn't understand anything. And then compile information on why I was tricked to believe that what we were doing was fine. So, I have those 88 pages here, information with phone numbers, addresses. Okay, so tell me what happened. With First, we have to determine if it's going to be criminal nature, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, sure. On May 24th, Sergio presented a Green Coast business card to redo our fence and our landscaping. Mhm. And I have a picture of that card. Okay. Green Coast Interiors. Mhm. He worked for them. Sergio used Green Coast email to send me preps and designs. >> Yep. He sent a video of the Green Coast link when they were interviewed on TV here in Port Charlotte. On July 20th, I met at his office. Here's the address. Kim Izzo, his wife, sent estimates for insurance. So, I have it all spelled out here. And there was a contract made, then the stop work order. >> So, this started last year, May? May 24th, correct. Okay, so you gave them how much money originally? >> $216,000 so far. Okay, and how much work have they done? None. Well, >> Very little. I have pictures of that. Okay, I mean, that's not normal amount though. Well, it was the contracted amount that we did with him. So, half of it? >> And we don't live here. I understand that. How big was the contract? >> We gave him some money outside of the contract to do the fence and the deck. >> No, okay. But, what's There has to be a large contract here. What's the original contract amount? The original contract amount for the interior was 165. We had given him money separate for the deck, separate for the fence, separate for other things. Then, he was all of a sudden, "Hey, I no longer work for Green Coast. I work for myself." And so, now we're going to do a contract for myself. Did he say who he worked for other than that? Like, does he have a business card? No. He said, which is all outlined in my timeline. This is the stop work order. This is the house. Here is a printout of everything we've paid him to date, every check he's cashed. These right here are cases involved in fraud that he was arrested for in other states. So, I've got four of those. He also has multiple Where Where's your original contract? Let me see that. >> I don't have an original contract for the fence. We just paid for that. I can't understand it's cash. I have it right here. That's the storage unit he took all his stuff out like 2 days ago. He knows we're on to him. He took all his stuff out of the storage unit that he's been storing for me. Here is the contract. So, who's Good Guy Enterprises? That's our house. That's That's the LLC that I'm sole owner of. Okay. And did he pull a permit? Have you went and got the permit? No, he never did. He lied. So, you went out and checked to make sure? Oh, I'm 100% sure. Okay. We got shut down for no permits. Yeah. And I have a copy of the county inspector's name that came and shut us down. Okay. Who does not know Sergio's name cuz they don't care if they're saying it's our fault. So, which is fine, but they said, "If it's not your fault, then you'll file a police report because what you did is a felony." Well, but he was working under that business originally. Well, I called that business and they said he was not working under them. He lied. That's what they said. Do you have a picture of him? Yeah, I have his driver's license >> [clears throat] >> number. If you look here, these are all the people involved that I know of. This is my new contractor. This man, Tony D'Onofrio, lives at this address and he's a business partner. He was involved in all of this. He lives with Sergio's mother-in-law. Mhm. These two guys were employed by Sergio. They have not been paid. They happen to know that he has guns in his home and they're being threatened by him. This is Sergio's wife. She has passed bad checks. She has also records in many states. So, Danny, this guy, is employed by him. On February 13th, after the stop work order, he was found on the property and there was police involved in that. And these are other addresses of people that he is actively doing work at their property. So, I'm just trying to stop him from And he did this. The guy did this. In order to prosecute someone, you have to understand, in order to prosecute someone, the state attorney has to pick up that case. These cases are very difficult to prove in the court of law because it goes back and forth. He may say, "I was just doing what they told me to do." You see what I'm saying? It it's it's >> But he didn't have a contractor's license. He used >> that, but you you should have known that though. You should have asked him. >> I called It was active when he started work. It was active on that card. It was a good license. I I mean, I understand that. He doesn't work for them anymore. But he was originally working for them. Is that what you're telling me? >> I don't know because those people won't speak to me. >> Right, of course they won't because there's a huge civil lawsuit. That's the problem. They know they can be sued, so no one's talking to nobody. That's what I'm trying to tell you. These cases are extremely hard to prosecute. If you want to If you want to There are laws to protect stuff, but I'm feeling >> There is There is laws, ma'am, but I'm trying to let make >> very upset. Yeah, and I and I understand. I would be too. I've been just built a house. It took over almost 2 years. It was supposed to be done in like 8 months. Do you understand? So, >> I know how you guys feel. My pool had four [clears throat] leaks in it. It took a year after we moved in to get the pool not leaking. The contractual law of the state of Florida is very, very difficult. The only thing that's easy to prove is whether he had a license or not. >> Yeah. But, that's But, that's a nothing charge. You know what I mean? He's not going to get anything for it. And he's a convicted felon for the same thing in four other states. But, that's what I'm saying though, ma'am. You >> How does that matter? I mean, I got to Come on. I just don't want you to try to blame me. I want to be clear as I can. So, he's done a little bit of work, obviously. He did the fancy, this and other stuff. How much do you think he's done that you Oh, you paid him money for? $20,000 at most. Okay, so then it's about a $195,000 loss, right? Okay. And also the lumber that he used was stolen from another site. He loaded up the box truck with all of our stuff from storage, and all the storage is gone. It's closed. Can you Raise your right hand? Yes. You swear and affirm the statements that you gave were true? >> Correct. Yes. Okay, thank you. I'm trying to stop him because No, I understand. he has done this, and he is really good at it. Well, of course. Trust me, I've got another case that's probably worth about $355,000 for two workers that allegedly were working for another company, but the company wasn't employing them. It's the same thing. Different names. They could be the same people. We don't know. You know what I'm saying? That's the problem. A lot of these cases, all they have is a name. They didn't even get driver's licenses. So, at least if you have a I have all that stuff. I have >> Yeah, I mean, well, you said it was fake, so it doesn't matter. But, at least you can prove like I I If it's him If it Well, that we still know We have an idea. We have an idea. You have an idea. You have his picture. You have his address. You have his phone number. But, you have his real picture or just a DL, the fake? No, it's his real picture. Okay. Well, I I can tell you in a couple other situations, they take it back to Mexico and give it to families. He's not from Mexico. He's from New Jersey. He's from New Jersey. He is from New Jersey. He's from New Jersey, but he can't go back there because he got in trouble up there. Where where Shot. You know, >> we probably have the same type of personality. I get to the point, I say what I have to say, and then that's what it is. So. Right. Right. I've been doing it too long to sugarcoat things, you know what I mean? I just like to tell the truth and move on. The truth sometimes is hard to hear because I screwed up so poorly. Well, I don't I wouldn't say that because at least you you've done a lot more than somebody else. I've literally had people come in and say, "Hey, Jose came over my house and said he was going to put all the drywall in and do my back porch, and I gave him $48,000, and he never showed up." Okay, do you have Jose's information? No, he just goes by Jose. Yeah, that's tough. You see what I'm saying? >> a little better. That's tough. But I gathered information. Yep. All right, see y'all. Hi, do you need that? How you doing? Good, great. Got your license? License, registration, proof of insurance card? Reason for being stopped? Uh, can you turn the vehicle off for me and just uh step out? All right, go ahead and turn around. Put your hands on the vehicle and just set the keys right here. Right now, you're being detained. All right, what for? Let me just take this one. Is there anybody we can call to get your truck? Yeah, my wife. Okay. Yeah. What What's this about? I'm I'm lost right now. It's cons- construction fraud, contractor Fraud what? What I didn't do anything. >> So, we didn't do it? All right, there's an investigation obviously going on. And an investigator found some fraudulent things that took place with some of the construction work you've done, and we're just doing the dirty work, if that makes any sense. I'm just saying. Okay. All right. Wow, so do you need my wife's number? Yeah. Where's your phone? It's my mother-in-law. Hey, Karen, can you hear me? Yeah. I'm being arrested right now and I can't get in touch with Kim. Oh, okay. Why? Where are you at? I was I was driving your way. I was going to go see a customer for landscaping and then I was going to come to your house, and they pulled me over and stopped me, and now I'm getting arrested for uh contractor fraud. I didn't say contractor fraud. Yeah, that's what I'm being told. So, if you could call Kim, my truck is Oh, actually I have a tracker on the truck. Tell Kim to just check the tracker. She'll find the truck. What's your name, Kimberly? Is it Kimberly? Yeah. Do you have a middle name by any chance? Lynn. Huh? Lynn. Lynn. What was the deal with it? >> The truck? >> Yeah, I got called on it back in >> I don't know what's wrong with the truck. Nothing's wrong with the truck. >> No, how come it's there? Oh, he was going to an appointment. >> Oh, yeah. Do you have anything on you? Uh like wallet, phone, anything like that that you need? No. Okay. I don't want to do this in front of your kids, okay? I want to be professional. We have charges for you. For me? Yes. For contractor fraud, and you got to come down with us to the jail. Tonight. Is that why I have to be out here in the rain? Why for me? So, it's for contractor fraud for both of you. If you do run, if you do anything I'm not running anywhere. We're I I But I'm not a contractor. I know, but >> So, you're on his business. The case got forwarded to a detective, interviews, and he did his investigative work. You're part of the BCA as long as well as your husband, okay? So, just walk to the back side of my car. With my cell phone? So, that Once Once Once we get you situated we'll talk to them. Trust This isn't the first time we've done this with people. Okay. I didn't want to put you in handcuffs in front of your kids or anything like that. Handcuffs? You have to come with us to the jail. Is anything >> you just trapped me here. Hm? So, you just trapped me here. >> Trapped you. Okay. Come on, let's go to the back of the car. Put your hands behind your back, please. Put them together like you're praying. Do you want that watch off? I can take it off. Do you want us to give that necklace to your mom? No? No, you want to keep Okay. So, I'll go talk to her so that way there's no misunderstanding. I don't know what's going to happen from this point on. All we're instructed to do That's okay. All we're instructed to do is take you to the jail. Yep. Okay? Hello. What's going on here? Hold on. Let's go back over there and have a conversation. I'll talk to you about everything that's going on. I'll explain to you why this happened the way it happened. I'll explain to you everything. But let's go over there and do it. I have two babies. Why do I have to go to the jail? So, you're the grandparents, right? You're the grandparent? >> I'm the grandmother. Okay. You're going to have to watch them for a little bit. Your daughter she's going down to the jail tonight for contractor fraud. Okay? This I thought was all taken care of. He had to pay a fine. All we know is on our level is that detectives put out charges for her and we have to come and get her. Okay? Could you imagine if we walked up to here and we're like, "Yeah, we have charges." You know, we're going to take her to the jail. Would she have come? You know what I mean? I took her to the side so that way I didn't put any handcuffs in front of the kids. I didn't want to cause a whole big scene. I did it super professionally. I appreciate that. >> that's I know. I know. But I couldn't I couldn't exactly tell you in the moment I knew that you were going to do that. I could tell. I'm I'm sons are cops. I think I think I think your husband knew, too. He even asked. Well, I know he didn't know cuz he just I just told him I heard the phone call. >> She's going to be in jail like overnight? >> I don't know how long she's going to go. Probably. You said Sergio Was it Sergio that had to pay a fine or whatever? That's That's what Yeah. >> What's What's the relationship between Sergio and your daughter? Well, >> Are they married? >> They're basically but they're not So they're legally married. So he's going to jail tonight, too? I knew that. I figured that originally. I didn't know that two people in the same family could. I didn't think that was the law. Yeah, there's no law says you could take 10 people in the same family. This woman that has started this mess, well, she should be in jail. We don't know the details. That's through our economic crimes detectives and stuff that, you know, they found probable cause for these charges. They're like scheming to defraud and contractor fraud is what it is. So you got open charges for contractor fraud. It's called scheming to defraud. Those are the charges. The detective will talk to you. All right. Why am I here today? Start to finish. Best you can do. August of last year, we had Sergio reach out to us by email. Um And who is Sergio to you? Uh Sergio was a contractor. He was that we just, you know, met um for the first time through email and phone phone conversations. He came across as a reliable contractor in the Inglewood area uh that he's done a lot of business and he was um um advising us that he had a lot more work for us. So, given that, he asked us to go out there and and provide an estimate for him on that property in Englewood. We went out there, did an estimate for him, sent it over to him. You know, he was going to get back to us and touch with us when the time was ready to do the install. The contract was sent over to him. You know, he acknowledged it through a text message that um he was he approved everything. Had to move forward. He still had some things that he needed to do on the property, which delayed us getting out there. Through those communication back and forth, we had were in the Englewood area at uh a certain point of that day. I think it was August 23rd that uh I reached out to him and said, "Hey, we're in the area. Are you you know, we good to go here?" He acknowledged that he was good to go. We went out that day. We performed the work. I had met him on the property just to go over everything that we talked about in the estimate. He approved it and then uh my guys started doing the work. We finished that day, reached out to him, and I didn't hear from him. We sent him the invoice. We followed up to him in about a month, several text messages back and forth where he claimed that, you know, the check was in the mail. Several times he said that. We also I tried to contact him, said, "Hey, there is no check uh received." Probably about a month later, he informed me that he was on vacation and that he would take care of it when he get back. At that point, I started feeling a little bit uh I think it was probably about three or four months, you know, we started asking more questions. "Hey, I'll be in your office. Can I get come to your office and pick the check up?" And he, you know, stopped answering my texts. He didn't answer that at all. I sent him a We started reading articles about him in New Jersey, you know, started doing our little, you know, research on him and realized that he was, you know, scamming people, you know, in Texas and in and in New Jersey as well. I reached out to him one last time, you know, asking him to, you know, "Please make sure you compensate us and all that." And never heard back from him. Okay. >> That was it. You were there with him. You guys verbally communicated, "This is exactly what we're going to do." which was what the estimate was. And then you guys completed the work there on site that day. >> Yes. On the 23rd. Okay. And then over the next couple months, three to four months possibly from August to October, November, you're trying to go back and forth with him to gain payment for said work that was completed. Um and you had sent an invoice of the completed work to an email address that he provided you. Yes. And then it was just text message back and forth between you and him about checks in the mail or I'm on vacation or I'll get it to you shortly or it was kind of just a little bit of a runaround. Is that what I'm understanding? >> Yes. We just looked online. Actually, it was a I think it was a newspaper article that came out. You guys saw it in the newspaper like, "Oh, that's the guy we contracted with." And like, "Oh my god, now we're going to So then you did an open records to see what took place." Correct. And it was the job you guys were working on and were like, "Oh my god, we were there." Correct. Okay. And then what did you guys do after that? Is that when you did open records on the actual case to figure out what it was? Correct. And then did you guys get this today or We just printed it out today. >> Just got this like did you get an email attachment of it or No, I went on public records and printed it out. Okay, got you. And then after finding all this out, that's when you called us. Okay. The man and woman were arrested and charged with contractor fraud and scheming to defraud.