New Rochelle contractor charged in Stony Point

STONY POINT - A New Rochelle contractor is charged with third-degree grand larceny, accused of failing to complete work on a $26,000 kitchen-remodeling project in Stony Point, according to the Rockland County District Attorney's office.

The felony charge against Michael Scoca, 51, of 222 Centre Ave., was announced Friday by District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe.

“The victim in this case hired the defendant and paid him substantial amounts of money for materials and home-improvement work that was never performed," Zugibe said. "To avoid being another victim of a home-repair scheme, consumers should request and check a contractor’s references and contact the proper agencies to ensure that he is licensed.”

WATCH YOUR STEP: When hiring contractors

ROCKLAND: DA targets contractors

Zugibe said Scoca, a licensed home-improvement contractor who runs West End Contractors, is listed on the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection “Renegade Renovators” list.

According to the charges, the victim, a Stony Point homeowner, contracted with Scoca in May 2015 to replace the existing kitchen at a total cost of $26,500. The defendant demolished the kitchen, installed new sheetrock and applied paint, but failed to complete the construction, the prosecutor's office said.

Scoca is accused of abandoning the project and failing to provide an accounting or return of the victim’s money.

The case was investigated by Zugibe's Special Investigations Unit and the Rockland County Department of Consumer Protection. It will be prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Richard Kennison Moran.

Scoca was was arraigned in Stony Point and remanded to the Rockland County jail because of two previous felonies, Zugibe said. He is due back in Town Court on Tuesday. The grand-larceny charge carries a potential seven-year prison sentence.