Long Island contractor convicted of multi-million dollar fraud
A contractor based in East Islip, New York, has admitted responsibility for a fraud scheme that affected several clients in Suffolk County. Leones Martins-Rodrigues, 40, owner of the company Smart Flooring, pleaded guilty to misappropriating more than $90,000 intended for home remodeling projects.
The investigation, led by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, revealed that between May 2022 and February 2024, Martins-Rodrigues received various payments from three builders. These funds were intended exclusively for the purchase of materials and the installation of hardwood floors in residences located in the exclusive areas of Southampton and East Hampton.
Modus operandi and legal consequences
Far from fulfilling the contractual commitments, the defendant diverted the received resources to cover personal expenses. The authorities confirmed that the contractor did not purchase the materials nor execute the agreed-upon works, withdrawing the money from their bank accounts for personal gain.
The defendant presented himself to his clients as a reliable contractor, but ended up diverting the money he had received for the projects for personal use.
Raymond Tierney, Suffolk District Attorney
Following his arrest on April 8, the judicial process moved forward until August 13, when, before state Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, the defendant accepted the charges brought against him.
- Offense: Attempted grand larceny in the second degree (class D felony).
- Amount defrauded: More than $90,000.
- Project locations: Southampton and East Hampton.
- Sentencing date: Scheduled for August 12, 2027.
This case was clarified thanks to the joint work of the Suffolk County Police and the specialized financial crimes unit of the District Attorney’s Office, who managed to document the irregular use of funds provided by the affected clients.
