D.A.: Contractor stole from E. Meadow family

A Farmingdale man was arrested last week for allegedly stealing more than $5,000 from an East Meadow couple that had contracted with him to make improvements to their kitchen, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

Konstantine Sousouris, 39, was arraigned before District Court Judge Darlene Harris on Jan. 5. He was charged with third-degree grand larceny and Operating a Home Improvement Business Without a License, which is a misdemeanor. He faces a maximum of up to two and one-third to seven years in prison on the top charge, officials noted.

Singas said that Sousouris, doing business as K.S. Sousouris, Inc., and the unidentified homeowners allegedly entered into an agreement for the defendant to purchase materials and perform kitchen home improvements to their East Meadow house on March 22, 2014. As part of the agreement, the homeowners paid Sousouris $5,915 in April 2014 for the cost of the necessary materials.

Sousouris reportedly cancelled numerous appointments to deliver supplies and start work on the project by using a variety of excuses, including claiming that his machinery was broken and that he was having problems with his employees. To date, Singas said Sousouris has never delivered materials, provided proof that any supplies were even ordered, or started work on the house.

“Crooked contractors prey on overly-trusting homeowners, and it is important that customers ask to see a copy of the business license and appropriate insurance paperwork of the company,” Singas explained. “I encourage homeowners who have been victimized by a contractor to contact our office or our partners at the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs and report the incident.”

The local couple did file a complaint with the office. Officials referred their case to Singas, and the investigation began.

Upon being informed of his imminent arrest, Sousouris made full restitution to the homeowners. After his arraignment, he was released on his own recognizance.

Sousouris returned to court on Tuesday. Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Contreras of Singas’s Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau is prosecuting the case. Sousouris was represented at his arraignment by an attorney from the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, which does not comment on cases as a matter of policy.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.