N.Y. Roofer Nailed in Home Improvement Scam

In one of the largest home improvement fraud cases in Western New York, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced that a grand jury has returned a felony indictment against a Buffalo contractor for stealing tens of thousands of dollars from consumers.

The 33-count indictment charges Todd A. Cameron, 33, with: one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony; 26 counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony; and six counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony. If convicted on all counts, the defendant faces up to 20 years imprisonment.

“This case sends a message to home improvement contractors that fraudulent acts may result in severe consequences,” Spitzer said.

Between May and September of this year, Cameron, owner of Cameron Construction, demanded large up-front payments from consumers and promised to provide roofing repairs. In total, Cameron took approximately $250,000 from more than 55 consumers and provided either nothing in return or very little work compared to the large downpayments he received. In some cases, he reportedly abandoned projects after removing roofs, which resulted in extensive water damage to customers’ homes.

Cameron was arraigned and pled not guilty before Erie County Court Judge Shirley Troutman, who set bail at $50,000 cash or $100,000 of real estate property.