BUFFALO, N.Y. — A contractor from Newfane was to prison for stealing more than $230,000 from Western New York homeowners.
Nathaniel Wagner, 42, was sentenced Friday to serve four to eight years in prison. He had pleaded guilty this past March to grand larceny in the third degree, and scheme to defraud in the first degree.
In a joint news release, New York Attorney General Letitia James and State Police Superintendent Steven G. James say Wagner operated a residential contracting fraud scheme in Niagara County from December 2019 to July 2022.
They say he Wagner stole more than $230,000 from more than dozen homeowners by taking up-front deposits, then used the money to purchase items for himself, such as personal investments, Apple products, and groceries. He also used the money to pay for child support payments, and send electronic payments to family members.
“When fraudulent contractors steal from those who hire them, they put New Yorkers’ homes and finances at serious risk,” Attorney General James said in a statement. “Instead of performing the home repairs he was hired to do, Nathaniel Wagner pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars of his clients’ deposits and then strung them along for months, and even years, as he spent their money on himself.
"I thank the State Police and our partners in law enforcement for their work to secure this conviction, which sends a clear message that anyone who preys on New York homeowners with fraudulent schemes will be brought to justice.”
The investigation began in 2022 after state police received several complaints from homeowners in Lewiston, Lockport, Wilson, Newfane, Ransomville, North Tonawanda, and Niagara Falls.
Officials say Wagner would ask for large sums of money upfront, ranging from several thousand dollars to over $30,000, but then never performed the work. Homeowners said he would give excuses why the work wasn't complete. Investigators say Wagner even created fake receipts to show purchases from retailers to conceal his theft.
“I want to thank the Attorney General’s Office for their strong partnership that has led to the conviction of Mr. Wagner,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James in a statement.
“This individual perpetuated a devious scheme to cheat homeowners out of their hard-earned money for promised contracting work he failed to perform. The State Police continues to support our partners in investigating and apprehending individuals willing to take advantage of others.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Wagner will also have to repay his victims, totaling $453,058.