Katrina Contractor Ordered to Refund Home Repair Fraud Victims Over $87,000
Jackson, MS – November 14, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — A three day trial of a Hurricane Katrina contractor has ended with the defendant entering a guilty plea, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.
Sam Mineo, age 53, of Florida, pleaded guilty before Judge John C. Gargiulo on November 10, 2011, to the offense of false pretense for his actions against four Katrina victims who hired him to fix their hurricane destroyed homes.
Mineo’s defense team began negotiations for the plea on the second day of the trial.
“We consulted with the victims and agreed to resolution of the cases provided the defendant make restitution,” said Attorney General Hood. “These victims have waited long enough for their money.”
Mineo pleaded guilty to False Pretense through a Bill of Information. He was sentenced to five years, five years suspended, three years of probation and restitution of $87,500. Mineo must pay $35,000 in 12 days, another $25,000 sixty days after the first payment and $27,500 sixty days from the second payment.
The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division with special thanks to Special Assistant Attorneys General David Linzey, Crystal Utley and Patrick Beasley and Investigators Kenny Allen, Duncan Foster and Shannon Beaver.
Contact:
Jan Schaefer, Public Information Officer
601/359.2002
